T. L. SMITH'S 

CENTENNIAL ADDRESS. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS, 



DELIVERED ON 



THE FOURTH OF JULY, 1839, 



CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY, 



OF THE 



SETTLEMENT OF WINDHAM; 



BY THOMAS LAURENS SMITH, 



PORTLAND: 

AETHUR SHIRLEY VRINTER, 

1840. 



r ■■:.-. 



1 u r-' - 



The undersigned, Committee of Arrangements, tender their thanks tC' 
Thomas L. Smith, Esq. for the very able, interesting, and appropriate 
Address, delivered before the citizens of Windham, on the fourth day of 
July, 1839, and request a copy of the same for the press, 

EDWARD ANDERSON, 
WILLIAM SILL A, 
GEORGE W. CHUTE, 
THOMAS HAWKES, 
Windham, Juhj 5, 183&- WM. GOOLD, 



Windham, July 5, 183^, 
Gentlemen : — It affords me great satisfaction to learn that the Address 
which I delivered on the Fourth of July, in commemoration of the first; 
settlement of Windham, was acceptable to my fellow citizens. — A copy 
for publication will be cheerfully furnished. In complying with your re- 
quest, gentlemen, I remark that it has been my intention, by consulting- 
the best authorities and evidence which I could obtain, to be strictly cor- 
rect in the relation of every historical transaction. I may, however, have 
been misinformed on some points, and therefore some errors may have 
occurred. I am, Gentlemen, 

Yours Respectfully, 

THOMAS LAURENS SMITH, 
To Messrs. Edward A>'derson, 
William Silla, 
Geo. W. Chute, 
Thomas Hawkes, 
William Goold. I 



//^3Mf 



ADDRESS. 



Fellow Citizens : — 

We have assembled on the present occasion for the double pur- 
pose of celebrating events relating to the first settlement and history of 
our town, and also to celebrate the birth day of our National Indepen- 
dence. We have assembled to celebrate our Centennial Anniversary 
in a town, which, one hundred and two years ago, was a dense and 
unbroken wilderness, the home of the wild beast of the forest and the 
hunting ground of the Indian. In whatever direction we now turn our 
eyes, we behold pleasant and well cultivated fields and verdant pas- 
tures, with their " cattle upon a thousand hills," which a century past 
were unknown to civilized man. Where nature reigned in all her 
original beauty and simplicity, unadorned by the arts of civilization. 

In looking back and taking a retrospective view of the prominent 
events which have transpired in this town during the past century, the 
mind cannot fail of being sensibly impressed with astonishing changes 
and revolutions produced by the lapse of a hundred years. During that 
period, five generations of men have successively appeared upon the 
stage of action. The blood of the first settlers now courses in the veins 
of the fifth generation of their descendants. The face of nature has 
been changed. The barren wilderness turned into the fruitful field. 
The solitudes of nature broken up by the hand of civilized man. The 
majestic and venerable oak, monarch of the forest, and the lofty pine, 
peering to heaven, have given place to gardens, orchards, and fruitful 
fields. 

While contemplating the present prosperous and happy condition of 
this town we cannot avoid asking the question, our fathers who caused 
the wilderness to bud and blossom like the rose, where are they ? 
Time, that witnessess the final consummation of all things, has swept 
them from among the living ; their spirits have gone to that " bourne 
from whence no traveller returns," and their bodies have been com- 
mingled with the " great congregation of the dead." We who are now 
living, stand here as the representatives of the dead. Let us, like our 
pious ancestors, prove faithful to the trust reposed in us, and while we 
admire their example, let us endeavor to do justice to their memories ; 
to speak of their virtues, their love of order, their strong and invincible 
attachment to civil and religious liberty ; the patience and fortitude 
manifested by them in all their sufferings and amid surrounding diffi- 
culties and dangers ; the spirit that actuated them to resist all encroach- 
ments upon their rights and liberties ; and above all, their noble reso- 
lution " to die freemen rather than to live slaves." 

Our object, on the present occasion, will be to notice such events 
and occurrences as relate to the first settlement and early history of 
this town, and to trace briefly (though innperfectly) the progress of 
events down to the present time. But when we come down to the 
present time, we come to a barrier which we cannot pass, and howev- 
er strong our desires may be, like the illustrious Franklin, to know the 
condition of our town or country one hundred years hence, it can only 
be known to us as the lapse of time shall disclose it. We are not per- 
mitted to raise the curtain of futurity, to beliold what lies in prospect 
before us. We are not permitted to know what mighty convulsions 



4 

of nature or revolutions of nations shall take place during a century to 
come. Whether this town, which now contains more than two thous- 
and souls, shall have its population, wealth, the comforts of life, and 
attainments in literary and moral refinement, vastly augmented, or be- 
come a mere blank in creation. — Whether America is to witness revo- 
lutions greater than any that have preceded, which shall produce 
another Washington, who shall, like the past, stand forth the wonder 
and admiration of the world, the man eminently great in the field 
and in the cabinet, and whose name shall go down to posterity untar- 
nished. — Whether Europe is again to experience gi'eater revolutions 
and more sanguinary wars than any that have transpired. — Whether 
the nations of the earth and the civil foundations of society are to be 
again swallowed up in the vortex of revolutions ; revolutions which 
shall produce another prodigy of nature, another mighty Napoleon, to 
new cast the art of war, to sport with crowns and kingdoms, and the 
splendor of whose military achievements shall as far excel the past 
Napoleon as the past Napoleon has excelled all the generals of anti- 
quity. — Whether another Nelson is to arise to cover the seas with his 
great naval armaments, those terrible engines of destruction, and whose 
naval victories shall as far excel the past Nelson as the past Nelson 
has excelled all the admirals of antiquity. — Whether new lights in the 
sciences are to ari^, who shall eclipse the names of Newton, Frank- 
lin, and Fulton. — Or whether these United States, which are now sup- 
posed to contain sixteen millions of inhabitants, and whose immense 
territory, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, may be said 
to extend " from the river to the ends of the earth ; " whose military 
power is second to no nation on the globe, the second in point of naval 
power, and which contains within itself all the elements necessary to 
constitute it the greatest, happiest, and most powerful nation that ever 
existed, shall, during the century to come, crumble into ruins, have its 
national character blotted out from among the nations of the earth, or 
escape " the war of elements — the wreck of matter and the crash of 
worlds," and like ancient Rome stand forth the mistress and law-giver 
of the world — are events alike unknown to us. 

The prodigious vicissitudes through which the inhabitants of this 
town have been called to pass during the century past, have ex- 
hibited them in all the forms of struggle and contest, for existence, for 
shelter, for food, and for freedom. 

In recurring to the local history of this town, we find that on the 
20lh of Nov. 1734, Abraham Howard and Joseph Blaney, representa- 
tives of the town of Marblchead, petitioned the General Court of Mas- 
sachusetts, " shewing that the said town is of veiy small extent, and 
the inhabitants more numerous than in most towns in the Province, so 
that they are much straightened in their accommodations, and therefore 
praying for a tract of land for a township for such persons belonging 
to the said town of Marblehead as will settle thereon." This petition 
was'granted by the House of Representatives, and consented to by the 
Governor and Council in December, 1734. John Wainwright, John 
Hobson, and Daniel Epes, were appointed on the part of the House, 
Wm. Dudley and Ebenezer Barrill, on the part of the Council, a com- 
mittee fully authorised to admit sixty inhabitants belonging to the town 
of Marblehead, who most need a grant, to become grantees, to lay out 
the township, and also the first division of home lots. The conditions 
of the grant were, that the home lots should be sixty three in number, 
be laid out in as defensible a manner as conveniently may be, and all 
future divisions in equal proportions, three of the lots or rights to be 



disposed of, one for the first settled minister, one for the ministry, and 
one for the support of schools, the grantees to build a dwelling house 
eighteen feet square and seven feet posts, to have seven acres of land 
brought to English grass and fitted for mowing, to settle a learned or- 
thodox minister, to build a convenient meeting house for thejpublic 
worship of God, within five years from their admission, and that each 
grantee pay the committee five pounds upon their admission. Agree- 
ably to the power vested in the committee for the above purposes, they, 
repaired to Marblehead and admitted the sixty grantees specified in the 
grant, January 17, 1735.* 

Several of the grantees had a meeting at Marblehead and appointed 
Ebenezer Hawkes, Thomas Chute, and Wm. Goodwin, a committee 
on the part of the grantees to accompany, assist, and advise the com- 
mittee appointed by the General Court to locate the township and to 
lay out the first division of home lots. The several committees accor- 
dingly assembled at Marblehead with Rowland Houghton, surveyor, 
April 19, 1735, and immediately came to this town and commenced 
its location, and also I'an out and established the first division of home 
lots, being sixty-three in number, containing ten acres each, and made 
a return of their doings with a plan of the same, May 7, 1735,t which 
"was accepted by both branches of the General Court, June 7, 1735, 
the lands therein described confirmed to the grantees provided they 
comply with the conditions of the grant. The town of Windham as 
originally laid out, embraces the contents of six miles square, and 
twenty five thousand six hundred acres including ponds and rivers. 
June 27, 1735, the Committee met at Marblehead, when the sixty three 
home lots or first division were drawn and disposed of to the Proprie- 
tors. These lots were located on the main road from Westbrook, run- 
ning parallel with, and one half mile distant from Presumscot river to 
Raymond, being the first road located in Windham. They extended 
from the road back to the river, and began opposite the dwelling house 
where John Webb, Esq. now lives, and terminated a few rods below 
the dwelling house where Paul Stone now lives, extending on the road 
two miles. These lots were ten rods wide on the road and one half 
mile long, and were, in a very peculiar manner, Indian lots, having 
great length and little width. The design of laying these lots out in 
this singular form should not be forgotten. It was a condition of the 
grant to lay out the " home lots in as defensible a manner as conveni- 
ently may be." The General Court were induced to incorporate this 
condition in all the grants made at that time, from their extreme anxi- 
ety to protect the first settlers from being destroyed by the Indians. 
From the first settlements in Maine, in 1630 to 1758, settlers in the 
new or frontier towns, could not be considered secure from the attacks 
of the Indians. 

Numerous and bloody wars were waged between the native Indians 
and the first settlers — and on the part of the Indians, wars of extermi- 
nation, sparing neither age, sex, or condition. The frequent occur- 
rence and the facility with which scattering settlements had been de- 
stroyed by the Indians, and the fatal consequences attending them, in- 
duced the General Court to adopt every measure to prevent their re- 
currence. And from a belief that compact settlements were more se- 
cure from their attacks than the sparse settlements ; this condition was 
inserted in the grant. 

*See Note No. 1, in the Appendix. 
I See Note No. 2, in Appendix, 



It IS perhaps hardly necessary to observe that the residue of all the 
land in the town was owned in common by the owners of these sixty- 
three home lots. It is worthy of notice that the town as originally laid 
out, extended down the Presumscot river to Saccarappa Falls ; and 
the boundary line between this town and Falmouth (now Westbrook) 
was in dispute from the grant of the township in 1734 until Nov. 27, 
1761, a period of twenty seven years, when the line was finally estab- 
lished by an act of the General Court.* During the great length of 
time the line between this town and Falmouth was in dispute, the Pro- 
prietors were subjected to great embarrassment and not a little expense. 
This troublesome and exciting subject of our south eastern boundary 
had scarcely been put to rest, when a dispute respecting our north 
eastern boundary made its appearance, and the boundary line between 
this town and Gray (formerly New Boston) came in for its usual share of 
notoriety. For a long time the settlement of this subject appeared to 
be as difficult to adjust, as the boundary line between the State of 
Maine and her " Majesty's Province of New Brunswick," — and threat- 
ened to involve the two towns in scenes of " blood and carnage." 
But as no troops were marched by either party upon the " disputed 
territory," the difficulty was happily got under without any loss of 
lives to either party, but not until it had made some very unwelcome * 
requisitions upon the "Treasury department." 

And frequently when this town has had to assist in building a bridge 
across the Presumscot, it has been extremely difficult to find the 
boundary line between Windham and Gorham. Not that it is so very 
difficult to find the " true Presumpscot " mentioned in the grant of 
the township, as to find its channel. The difficulties respecting boun- 
dary lines, are no new thing to the inhabitants of this town, ancient or 
modern. They were " in the full tide of successful operation " here, 
nearly half a century before the treaty of 1783. They are co-existent 
with the town, resemble the hydra in their nature, are interminable, 
and like the grave, never satisfied. 

July 4, 1735, and precisely one hundred and four years to the pres- 
ent time, the grantees had a meeting at Marblehead and voted " that 
each home lot have ten acres more of land added to it on the other 
side of the main road at the front of the said lots," which were subse- 
quently laid out directly opposite the liome lots, and exactly corres- 
ponding with them in quantity and form. From July 4, 1735, to June 
9, 1737, the grantees had various meetings and raised and expended 
several sums of money for building a bridge across Presumscot river 
immediately aboA^e Saccarappa Falls, and also bridges over Inkhorn 
and Colley Wright's brooks, clearing roads and defraying other inci- 
dental ex{)onses in preparing the township for settlement. 

June 9, 1737, the grantees voted to build a meeting house for pub- 
lic worship, chose a committee to report at the adjournment, the " di- 
mensions and form." At the adjoui'nmcnt, June 23, '37, the commit- 
tee reported " that it was their opinion that a meeting house suitable 
for said township at present, be about forty feet long, and thirty feet 
wide, and ten feet high," which report was accepted and a vote pass- 
ed that the " meeting house be built in dimensions according \o the 
report of the committee." It was also " voted that the meeting house 
be built on the westernmost corner of the ten acre lot, to be laid out and 
belonging to the ministerial lot, (home lot. No. 83,) and that cf 120 be 
assessed on the several rights to defray the expense of building the 

*Sce Note No. 3, in Appendix. 



house," but in consequence of the Indians claiming the land, forbiding 
and menacing those employed to build the house, it was not completed 
until 1740. This was the first meeting house erected in this town, and 
stood a few rods north of the dwelling house where Col. Edward An- 
derson now lives. 

The grantees gave this town the name of New Marblehead, in honor 
of Marblehead in Mass. to which the grantees belonged. It retained 
this name from the grant of the township in 1734 until its incorporation 
in 1762. Such were some of the early prcpai-ativc steps taken to- 
wards the first settlement of this town. 

Capt. Thomas Chute commenced the first settlement in this town 
July 30, 1737. He was born in England in 1690, emigrated to Mar- 
blehead, Mass. from Marblehead he came to Falmouth, now Portland, 
in the Spring of 1737, and on the 30th of July following, came to this 
town. He was one of the grantees and drew home lot or right, No. 
12, on which he settled, about thirty rods from the bank of the Pre- 
sumscot river. Here were the first trees felled, — here was the first 
habitation, the first rude log tenement erected, — here was the abode 
of the first civilized family in the town, and here was the first land 
cleared by the hand of civilized man. This settlement was on the 
farm now owned and occupied by Stephen Webb, and formerly the 
farm of John Chute, the grandson of Thomas Chute. 

William Mayberry was the second settler in this town : he was from 
Marblehead and also one of the grantees. Pie settled on home lot 27, 
on the farm now owned by Frederic Smith, about thirty rods from the 
river. 

John Farrar was the third settler : he came from Tiverton, Rhode 
Island, and settled on home lot No. 31, a few rods from the river, on 
the farm now owned by Col. Edward Anderson. 

The fourth settler was Stephen Manchester ; he came from Tiverton, 
Rhode Island, and settled on home lot No. 32, near the river, on the 
farm now owned by Col. E. Anderson. The three last settlers, May- 
berry, Farrar, and Manchester, settled within one year from the time 
the first settlement was made by Chute. 

The fifth settler was Abraham Anderson ; he came from Groton, 
Mass., to Marblehead, and from Marblehead to this town; he settled on 
home lot No. 36, on the main road, in the year 1738, on the farm 
where his son, Abraham Anderson, now lives. He built the first house 
and was the first family settled on the main road in Windham, where 
he lived nearly two years before any other families came into town, 
after which several other families moved in and settled on the main 
road on the home lots, and there Avas a gradual increase of settlers. 

The early settlers of this town were chiefly from Marblehead and 
Salem, towns whose inhabitants are distinguished for correct moral 
character, for liberality, industry and enterprise. Many a hard fought 
battle by sea and by land during the war of the revolution bears hon- 
orable testimony to their bravery, to their attachment to their country, 
its rights and liberties. Such is the character of the people from whom 
our ancestors, the first settlers of this town, originated. 

The first settlers as has already been observed, erected their habita- 
tions near the banks of the Presumscot. Their object in settling 
there was to have the benefit of a water conveyance, having no other 
means of transportation. Notwithstanding the proprietors had expend- 
ed considerable money in making roads from Saccarappa to the upper 
home lots, it consisted merely in cutting down the trees and " swamp- 
ing out" the roads. They were in such an impassable condition as to 



be wholly useless to the first settlers. The first settlers of this town 
commenced their settlement under the most discouraging circumstances. 
They were destitute of roads, carriages, mills, mechanics, physicians, 
religious meetings, schools, and comfortable dwellings ; but poorly 
supplied with comfortable food and clothing, surrounded by difliculties 
and dangers, and no succour or supplies could be obtained without trav- 
elling six or eight miles through the trackless woods. Yet they perse- 
vered with untiring zeal, displayed a fortitude that does honor to human 
nature, rose superior to every obstacle, subdued the face of nature, 
turned the barren wilderness into the fruitful field, and ultimately taught 
the savage Indians, by whom they were surrounded, to know by sad 
experience, that the first settlers were a class of men who would not 
suffer them to take life with impunity. 

At a proprietors' meeting, January 19, 1738, a vote was passed 
granting to Messrs. Ebenezer Hawkes, William Goodwin, Isaac Turner 
and Ebenezer Stacy, all their right to any one of the falls of water on 
the Presumscot, with ten acres of land adjoining the same, upon 
condition of their erecting and putting in operation a saw-mill, which 
was accordingly built on the falls now called Horse-beef, and accepted 
by the proprietors Dec. 13, 1740. This was the first mill of any kind 
erected within the limits of this town. 

The proprietors at their itieeting June 5, 1740, voted to lay out sixty- 
three one hundred acre lots, adjoining and contiguous to the home set- 
tlements, which were completed Oct. 22, 1740, and accepted Dec. 4, 
1740, as the second division of the common lands in the township, and 
being the first division of hundred acre lots. And by a subsequent vote, 
a third division of the common land consisting of 140 one hundred acre 
lots was completed January 26, 1763, commonly called the third divis- 
ion. And by a vote passed February 24, 1801, a division of the re- 
mainder of the common land into 63 lots of seventy three acres each 
was made Oct. 3, 1801, and accepted and confirmed February 16, 
1804, called the fourth division. In these several divisions, each one 
of the sixty three original rights has drawn 393 acres of land.* 

At a meeting of the proprietors Marcli 3, 1742, it was voted to " set- 
tle an orthodox minister as soon as may be." It was further voted 
" that the said settled minister shall have paid to him the sum of forty- 
five pounds out of the proprietors' treasury for his settlement." "That 
the sum of thirty pounds per annum be allowed and paid out of the 
proprietors' treasury for the support of the said minister from the time 
of his settlement until the said township be incorporated into a town." 
And James Skinner, Nathan Bowen, and Jonathan Proctor were chosen 
a committee to contract with Mr. John Wightt according to the fore- 
going votes. The committee accordingly addressed Mr. Wight upon 
the subject, March 25, 1743, received his answer consenting to the 
request of the committee, and on the following day a contract was 
completed between the parties. At a subsequent meeting, Sept. 1, 
1743, seven pounds ten shillings were voted to be expended in the or- 
dination of Mr. Wight ; he came immediately to this town and entered 
upon his clerical duties. 

From the first settlement in this town in 1737 to 1743, the settlers 
had been exempted from any serious difficulties with the Indians. But 

* See Note No. 4, in Appendix. 

t Mr. Wight anterior to this had preached in this town 29 weeks; he 
boarded with the first settler, Thos. Chute. Mr. Chute was afterwards the 
first deacon of the church in this town. 



"chese amicable relations between the native Indians and the first settlers, 
so essential and important to the latter, and upon which their comfort 
and the prosperity of their infant settlement mainly depended, were 
soon to be interrupted. Scarcely had the hardy settlers made a begin- 
ning and gained a lodgement in this world of woods, ere the tocsin of 
■war was rung in their ears. A war between Great Britain and France 
was now anticipated, which would inevitably bring the English settle- 
ments in contact with the Indians, and draw down the vengeance of the 
savages upon the new settled towns. Fully satisfied that a rupture was 
about to take place, Massachusetts resolved " to put her whole inland 
frontier, extensive as it was, into a good posture of defence. As the 
eastern Provinces, Maine and Sagaduhock, were most exposed to incur- 
sions from the savages, in case of a rupture, the Legislature made 
an appropriation of about of 1280 to be disbursed from the public treas- 
ury, and expended among the eastern settlements, for their defence." 
One hundred pounds of this appropriation was assigned to New Mar- 
blehead, and expended in building a fort. This fort was built on home 
lot No. 33, in the centre of the " Ancient Dominion," or home lots, on 
the most elevated and beautiful site in the " two mile territory," a few 
rods south of the dwelling house where Col. Edw-ard Anderson now 
lives, and formerly the residence of the late Peter Thatcher Smith. — 
It stood partly on the road and partly on land now occupied by Col. 
Anderson for a garden. The fort was fifty feet square, two stories 
high, with walls one foot thick of hewn hemlock timber, the upper story 
jutting one foot over the lower with a tier of port holes. There were 
two watch boxes placed at diagonal corners, two stories high, tw^elve 
feet square, with walls one foot thick, each watch box having a swivel 
gun, furnished by the proprietors, and so placed as to defend two sides 
of the fort. The fort was surrounded with a stockade about 25 or 30 
feet from it, made by setting posts ten or twelve inches in diameter, 12 
feet long, perpendicularly in the ground, and so near together that " the 
Indians" could not pass between them. The fort was provided with an 
iron "nine pounder gun" by the State, which was placed before the 
fort for the purpose of firing alarms and giving the neighboring settle- 
ments notice of the approach of Indians. The fort was built during the 
spring of 1744, and the only one that was ever erected in this town. 

At a proprietors' meeting at Marblehead, July 30, 1744, seven years 
from the first settlement of the town, it was " voted that the half barrel 
(or 50 lbs.) of powder pin-chased by William Mayberry be paid for by 
the proprietors, being i;'20 9s. old tenor, and the said powder to be for 
the use of the inhabitants of said township, on any extraordinary occa- 
sion according to fbrther direction." "Voted that the said powder be 
put into the hands of Mr. William Mayberry, he supplying the inhabi- 
tants (who want it) to the value of half a pound each man, and the re- 
mainder of said powder to be kept in the block house (fort) for the use 
thereof, in time of action, in case the same be attacked by the Indians 
or any other enemies, and no otherwise whatsoever." 

"Voted that the present committee be, and hereby are directed, at 
the public charge of the proprietors, to purchase two swivel guns and 
send them to said township for the use of the proprietors, to be placed 
in the block house for the defence thereof" 

The inhabitants of this town encouraged by the assistance thus given 
by the State and proprietors, though manifestly inadequate to such a 
work, bestowed upon their fort a great amount of labor and made it a 
place of considerable security. 



TO 

Tlie war that had been anticipated between England and France in 
1743, was declared in March, 1744, and formally communicated to the 
Governor of Mass., the second day of June following. Thus were the 
early settlers of this town met at the commencement of their settlement, 
with all the privations, hardships, and dangers of an Indian war, their 
settlement retarded, their comfort, happiness, and prosperity blasted! 

The first attacks of the Indians upon the English settlements in 
Maine, in this war, were made July 19, 1745, at St. Georges and Dam- 
ariscotta (Newcastle.) From this first attack of the Indians until 1751, 
the inhabitants were shut up in the fort, a period of six years, — this 
was a time of danger and suffering. It cannot be expected that on an' 
occasion like the present, I should minutely describe every individual 
case of suffering and danger. At this late period, when all who par- 
ticipated in those scenes have passed from the stage of action and gone 
down to the grave, a full and perfect account of their hardships and 
sufterings. t'i,ir perils by day, and their perils by night, cannot now 
be obtained. They were not only surrounded by a subtle and savage 
enemy lurking in ambush to waylay and cut them off whenever they 
ventured from their dwellings, but they even suffered for ^ jmfortable 
and necessary food. We may Ibrm some idea of their sulierings fronv 
the fact, that one of the families of the early settlers lived (or rather 
staid here) three months without bread or meat of any kind. 

" A narrative of savage warfare on our frontier must be principally 
a recital of the sufferings, exploits, escapes, and deliverances, of par- 
ties, families, or individuals ; a narrative the historian would cheerfully 
save himself the labor and pains of giving, did not fidelity and duty 
forbid. But the reiterated distresses of the eastern inhabitants in con- 
nexion with their fortitude and other virtues, ought not to be overlooked. 
In an Indian war they were necessarily watchful, or on their guard, day 
and night, and when at labor within the field, they were often obliged 
on a sudden emergency, either to repel an attack, or make a hazardous 
retreat. Their crops were not unfrequently injured or destroyed, either 
by their own cattle getting into their enclosures where the Indians had 
broken the fences ; or because the husbandman durst not venture out 
to collect and secure the harvest. By reason of the danger to which 
they were constantly exposed, they were unable to cultivate their lands 
to any advantage ; though when they went to public worship, or abroad, 
they were always armed ; and usually when at work, they posted a 
sentry in some conspicuous place to keep watch. In short the distressed 
people were afraid even to milk their cows, though they were kept in 
pastures near as possible to tlie fortifications ; and whole families wei'e 
not unfrequently, in these Indian wars, shut up for months together in 
a state of wretched anxiety." 

This painful state of things continued until the close of the war in 
1751, usually called the fifth Indian war. 

The first outrage committed by the Indians on the inhabitants of this 
town, was April 14, 1747, when they took and made prisoners of Will- 
iam and .loscph Knights, two sons of William Knights, who came from 
Manchester, Mass. to this town. They were unarmed and taken by 
surprise at Saccarappa, in Westbrook, were carried to the Indian settle- 
ments, were well treated by the Indians and soon after returned home. 

Their next attack was made the same year, August 27, when a body, 
supposed to be between 20 and 30, entered the town, probably, with 
the intention to take captive every one of the inhabitants, and to furnish 
themselves with plunder, while devising the ruin of some other place. 
They made an attempt to take William, son of Thomas Bolton, and 



n 

William Maxfield, a young man living with VVilllain Mayberry, prison' 
ers. Bolton and Maxfield wore both well armed with muske^ts. They 
made a brave resistance. Bolton discharged his musket at his assail- 
ants, but before he could have time to reload, tl>c Indians rushed upon, 
overpowered, and made him prisoner.* Maxfield reti-eated, walking 
backward in the <lirection of the fort, and keeping the Indians at a re- 
spectful distance, by occasionally presenting his miisket whenever they 
approached too liear. In this manner he made good his retreat, till a 
body of armed men, who, hearing the firing of the guns, came from the 
fort" to his relief. In his retreat the Indians discharged several shots at 
him, one of which inflicted a painful though not dangerous wouixl, of 
v.'hich he soon after recovered. This attack was made in the road near 
where Z. Hunnewell now lives, about 20 rods north of his house and 
not more than one fourth of a mile from the fort. Bolton was carried 
captive by the Indians to Canada, was purchased by a French naval 
officer, carried on board a French frigate in the capacity of a servant ; 
shortly after the frigate put to sea she was captured by an English 
frigate and carried into Boston, when Bolton again changed masters 
and became the servant of Lieut. Wallace, 2d Lieut, of the English 
frigate. His situation was soon known to the captain of a coasting ves- 
sel belonging to Falmouth ; he applied to the Governor of Mass. for his 
release, w^iich was promptly granted, and he returned in his vessel with 
him to Falmouth, and from Falmouth to this town, to the great joy of 
his parents. 

August 22^, 1750, they surprised and made prisoner of Seth Webb,"- 
son of Samuel Webb, who moved from Falmouth to this town March 
15, 1742, on home lot No. 23, where Josiah Crague now lives, a few 
Tods east of his house, carried him to Canada, the head quarters of the 
Indians, but ultimately he returned to this town before the breaking out 
of the next Indian war. 

These constitute the sum of the conflicts with the Indians during what 
is called liie fifth Indian or five years war. It is worthy of remark, 
trhat the five persons attacked by the Indians during this war were all 
young men, none were killed, but one wounded, four were carried into 
captivity, but ultimately all returned safe to their parents. Notwith- 
standing this is usually called the five years war, it commenced Joly 
19, 1745, and did not terminate until August 3, 1751. For so late as 
June 8, 1751, the Indians killed Job Burnal in the adjoining town of 
Falmouth, and a month afterwards cai-ried away from New Meadisws 
seven of the iniiabitants prisoners. A^ugust 3, 1751, a treaty with the 
Indians was fully and formally confirmed. 

From this time until the breaking out of the French war, and sixth 
v r with ihr ladians, at the close of the year 1754, the inhabitants of 
this town V ..re immolested by the lords of the " tomahawk and scalping 
knife." And being no longer imprisoned within their d .veilings, they 
applied themselves to cultivating their lands and improvir'^ their build- 
ings. New dwellings were erected, several families moved into town, 
and there was a progressive increase in population and improvements. 
The people could now labor on their lands and pursue tlieir several 
occupations without having any to molest or make them afraid, and the 
" Ancient Dominion" began to assume a prosperous aspect. All the 
non-intercourse laws which had been laid by the Indians, for six years 
past, were now repealed, and although the inhabitants of that day were 
not like those of the present, smothered with the thousand and one vehi- 

* Anecdote of BoUoq— see Note 5, in Appendix. 



12- 

cles of the present day, yet they had ihul ancient, heallliy, and good 
old fashioned exercise of riding on horse back. Many a gay young 
man was now to be seen with a lovely maiden of " blooming sixteen," 
well mounted on a pillion behind him, dashing away through thick and 
thin, over rocks, stumps, and logs, to the "merry dance." But this 
pleasant state of things was of short continuance ; the people had scarce- 
ly began to live w^hen they were again involved in another Indian war. 
At the closf; of the year 1754, hostilities again commenced between 
the English settlements on the one side, the French settlements and the 
Indians on the other. In May, 1755, the Indians commenced their at- 
tacks upon the settlements in New Boston, (Gray) North Yarmouth, 
and New Gloucester. This war, called the French war, continued with 
the Indians until the fall of 1758, when it ceased on their part, and was 
the last war between the Indians and the English settlements in Maine. 
The war, however, continued between France and England until Feb. 
10, 1763, when England having completed the entire conquest of all 
the northern dominions of France in America, a treaty was concluded 
between the two nations wherein all the English conquests were con- 
firmed. 

The inhabitants of this town being in daily expectation of an attack 
from the Indians, spared no pains to put their settlement in a good state 
of defence. Three dwelling houses were converted into garrisons, by 
erecting and attaching to them a sentry or watch box, two stories high,, 
the upper story projecting one foot over the lower, with a tier of port 
holes, made of hewn timber, bullet proof. They were also surrounded 
with a stockade in the same manner as the fort. One of these garri- 
soned houses (Mayberry's) stood on home lot No. 18, near where Reu- 
ben Elder now resides ; one (Bolton's) on home lot No. 52, where 
Elias Babb now resides, and one (Graifam's) on home lot No. 61, where 
Paul Stone now resides. 

February, 1756, the Indians surprised and made prisoner of Joseph 
Knights the second time, on the farm where Josiah Little now lives, 
(lot No. 2, 1st division of 100 acre lots,) on that part of the lot next 
Presumscot river. Having been for some time a prisoner among the 
Indians in the preceding war, he had partially learned their language^ 
and ascertaining that they intended to attack all the frontier towns from 
Brunswick to Saco, he determined on making his escape and alarming 
the settlements, which he cifFected the seventh of the following May. — 
They had travelled to the Androscoggin river, being fatigued they halt- 
ed, made a fire, and encamped around it for the night. To prevent 
Knights from making his escape, he was ordered to lie down on the 
ground, between two Indians, for the night. Knights kept awake, — he 
could not sleep, " it seemed so odd," — the Indians soon fell into a sound 
sleep, when Knights gently took leave of his bed-fellows, gave " leg 
bail," came into North Yarmouth and gave notice of the intended at- 
tack of the Indians.* From North Yarmouth he went to Falmouth, 
now Portland, where the inhabitants generously contributed to his re- 
lief, after which he soon returned to this town. 

The next and last " tug of war" between the inhabitants of this town 
and the Indians, was May 14, 1756. 

•* " May 10. This morning we are alarmed with young Knight?, who es- 
caped from the Indians three days ago, and got to North Yarmouth this 
morning, who brings news of 120 Indians coming upon the frontier, who are 
to spread themselves in small scouts from Brunswick to Saco."— SmM'* 
Journal, page 64. 



13 

On the morning of that day Ezra Brown and Ephraim \V iubhip lefi 
the fort for the purpose of laboring on Brown's lot, which was about 
one mile to the rear or north-east of the fort. They were accompanied 
by a guard consisting of four men and four boys : the names of the 
men were Stephen Manchester, Abraham Anderson, Josepli Sterling, 
and John Farrar ; the names of the boys were Timothy Cloudman, 
Gersham W'inship, Stephen Tripp and Thomas Manchester. In going 
to Brown's lot they had to travel through a piece of woods. Brown 
and Winship being about sixty rods in advance, and in the thickest part 
of the woods, were fired upon by a body of fifteen or twenty Indians 
who lay in ambush. The Indians were of the Rockamcecook tribe, (so 
called) commanded by Poland, their king. Brown was shot dead upon 
the spot, Winship received two balls, one in the eye and another in 
the arm, and fell to the ground, when both were scalped by the Indians. 
Upon hearing the report of the guns, part of the guard, viz. Joseph 
Sterling, John Farrar, and two of the boys, Stephen Tripp and Thomas 
Manchester, hastened back to the fort. The residue, Abraham Ander- 
son, Stephen Manchester, and the two lads, Timothy Cloudman and 
Gersham Winship, determined to pursue the Indians and avenge the 
blood of their fallen companions, or perish in the attempt. Accordingly 
this little band of heroes, cheered by the voice of Anderson calling out 
" follow on my lads," gallantly pressed onward to the attack. They 
turned to the right, took a circuitous route, and came upon the enemy 
before they had left Brown and Winship. The Indians immediately 
concealed themselves behind the trees. But they were no longer to 
fire from covert places upon men unconscious of their presence. They 
had now to deal with the intrepid descendants of Englishmen, — men 
whose presence of mind never forsook them, and whose courage never 
faltered. Poland, the Indian chief, who was concealed behind a tree, 
and who had previously shot Brown, was the first to begin the bloody 
combat. He discharged his musket at Anderson, but without taking 
effect. In his eagerness to reload his piece, the body of Poland became 
uncovered and exposed to the view of Stephen Manchester, who was 
about thirty feet on Anderson's right, when Manchester instantly level- 
ed his musket, took deadly aim and fired ; swift as lightning the fatal 
ball sped its way, and Poland, the warrior king of the Kockameecooks, 
falls to rise no more. The Indians instantly gathered around their fall- 
en chieftain and made the woods resound with their infernal yells, to 
which our little band of Spartans replied by giving them the contents 
of their muskets, when two more of the Indians were killed or mortally 
wounded. The Indians finding the place too hot for them, fled from 
the scene of action, carrying with them their dead and wounded, and 
leaving behind " five packs, a bow, and a bunch of arrows and several 
other things."* 

The alarm having been given at the fort, a small number of armed 
men from the upper garrison house, (Mayberry's) together with Seth 
Webb, who had been taken prisoner by the Indians in the previous war, 
went in pursuit. At a place called "the Meadows," between Canada 
hill in this town and Westbrook line, they discovered an Indian carry- 
ing a quarter of beef upon his shoulder ; two of the party gave him a 
very strong invitation to divide the spoils with them, by discharging their 
muskets at him. But the Indian considering a possessory title para- 
mount to any other, continued on his course, when Seth Webb, who 

* This engagement with the Indians, where Poland was slain, was on lot 
No. 21, 1st division of hundred acre lots. 



14 

^•as a celebrated marksman, fired and brought him to the ground. He 
however arose, relieved of liis burden, and made his escape, but died of 
his wounds during the following night, — making the whole loss of the 
Indians four, in killed and mortally wounded ; the mortally wounded 
died during the succeeding night. 

The bodies of Brown and \Vinship were carried back to the fort, pre- 
senting to the inhabitants, ])articularly the wife and children of Brown, 
and the children of Winship, a scene beyond the power of language to 
describe. In less than two hours from the lime they had left the fort in 
the full vigor and strength of manhood, the lifeless rcmains of one was 
brought in, and the body of the other so shockingly wounded and muti- 
Jated that his life was despaired of. Those who have been called to 
experience similar scenes, may form a correct idea of the sufferings of 
the bereaved wife and children of Brown and the children of Winship; 
and to those who have not, vain would be any attempt of mine to des- 
cribe the anguish of mind and the heart rending feelings of the families 
and relatives of the victims of Indian barbarity.* 

The death of Poland put an end to all troubles with the Indians in 
this quarter : they were never known to attack the settlements in this 
or the adjoining towns after his death, although they continued the war 
in some parts of this State until the fall of 1758. The inhabitants, how- 
ever, could not feel secure until the close of the war with France, in 
1763, making a second period of war with the Indians and French of 
nine years. Thus it will be seen that from the first settlement of this 
town, in 1737, until 1763, a period of twenty -six years, fifteen years 
were consumed in war with the Indians and French. 

From the close of this war until the war of the Revolution, in 1775, 
the inhabitants of this town were exempted from the calamities of war, 
■ — the weapons of death were laid aside for the implements of husband- 
ry. The people again cheerfully applied themselves to cultivating their 
lands, to recover their farms from the dilapidated condition into which 
they had fallen in consequence of the neglect and ravages occasioned 
by war. 

April 26, 1759, there were twenty-nine of the home lots settled, and 
some land had been cleared on all the others except No. 4 ; after this 
several other families moved in and commenced the fii*st settlement on 
the hundred acre lots, and such was the promising condition of tlie 
township that it was incorporated by its present name of Windham, 
June 12, 1762. Windham was the sixteenth town incorporated in this 
State. 

The name of Windham given to this town, like the ; nes of most 
of the old towns, is of English origin. It was so named i r Windham, 
formerly M^ymondham, a town in the county of Norfolk, England, con- 
taining in 1820, a population of 4,023. There are also ^"ven other 
towns and two counties by the name of Windham in the United States. 
The aggregate population in towns and counties by the name of Wind- 
ham, in 1820, amounted to 70,000, and at the present time it probably 
amounts to 100,000.t 

The first settlement in this town was in 1737, 245 years from the 
first discovery of America by Columbus, 117 from the first settlement 
in Ncvv England, (Plymouth) and 107 from the first settlement in 
Maine, (York.) 

The town at the time of its incorpo on contained "' ffimilies ; the 

* See Note No. 6, in Appendix. 
f See Note No. 7, in Appendix. 



\5 

precise number of inhabitants at that time is not known ; however, in 
1764, two years after, it was estimated to contain 250 inhabitants. — 
Until 1760 all the settlements in this town had been confined to the 
" home lots." 

Immediately after the incorporation of the town, agreeably to en- 
couragement from tlie proprietors and inhabitants of the town, Peter 
Thatcher Smith was ordained Pastor over the Church and Parish of this 
town, Sept. 22, 1762. 

At a meetinr of the proprietors, Aug. 23, 1764, "Voted, that tlie 
sumof<£19 19o. y l-2d. (being 1- -'the charge of the ordination of the 
Rev. Mr. bmith,) be paid out of the proprietors' treasury, for that use, to 
such persons that made the advancement of the whole sum." 

The following account of the ordination is taken from the Journal of 
the Rev. Thomas Smith of Falmouth, (now Portland.) " Sept. 22, an 
ordination at Windham, a prodigious concourse of people, a great and 
admired solemnity. Mi". Morrill began with prayer, Mr. Langdon 
preached, I gave the charge, Mr. Loring gave the right hand of fellow- 
ship, Mr. Elv'n preached. It was thought by all to be the most finish- 
ed solemnity of the kind ever known." So it seems our ancestors, 
among their numerous other virtues, possessed the rare faculty of " do- 
ing up " ordir lions in good style. 

From the cia^ e of the French war until the war of the Revolution, 
a term of twelve years, but little occurred to intenupt the prosperity 
of the inhabitants. Two events, however, occurred, which it may not 
be improper to notice. The fii-st was a violent hurricane on the 31st 
cf July, 1767. It commenced near Sebago Pond, look an easterly di- 
rection, passing through the north-east corner of Gorham, crossed the 
Presumscot at Loveitt's falls, passed through the middle of Windham, 
directly over the Duck pond, through the north part of Falmouth, and 
the south part of North Yarmouth to the sea. It appears to have been 
most violent in the town of Falmouth. It unroofed the house of Mr. 
Purington, situated near the Duck pond, and prostrated every tree in 
its way except a few sturdy oaks — but abated in some measure after it 
entered North Yarmouth, so as not to do much damage in that town. 
It extended in breadth about three-fourths of a mile. The second was 
a destructive fire in 1775. It commenced at Gambo falls on the Pre- 
sumscot and passed through the town in the same direction, and follow- 
ing the course of the hurricane. This fire did considerable damage. 
It consumed seven dwelling houses and their contents, with other build- 
ings. By this calamity, seven families were burnt out, four near where 
the fourth Congregational meeting house now stands, and three at 
Gambo falls. 

The first town meeting after the incorporation of the town, was held 
by virtue of a warrant from the Hon. Stephen Longfellow, at the old 
fort in Windham, July 5, 1762. Abraham Anderson was chosen 
Moderator, Thomas Chute Town Clerk, Caleb Graffam, Thomas May- 
berry, and John Farrar, Selectmen, and Abraham Anderson Town 
Treasurer. From this time until the war of the Revolution, the popu- 
lation of the town was considerably augmented by emigration. The 
town was now fast settling and in a flourishing condition, and continued 
so until the war of 1775. 

The war of the Revolution had its origin in a struggle for the exer- 
cise of unconstitutional power on the part of Great Britian, and a firm 
determination on the part of the Colonies to resist the exercise of such 
illegal authority. The Parliament of Great Britian contended that they 
had the right to bind the Colonies in all cases whatever without their 



16 

*'onsciit. la coafonviily with these pretensions, ParUument passed an 
Act June 29, 1767, innposing a duty, to be paid by the Colonies on all 
paper, glass, painter's colors, and teas imported into the Colonies. 
The king of Great Britian was also authorised to appoint revenue offi- 
cers lo vnl'orce and collect the duties. These measures the Colonies 
pronounced oppressive and unconstitutional. They contended that, 
having no representation in Parliament, Parliament had no right to tax 
them without their consent. That taxation and representation were in- 
separable, and that this principle was recognized by the fundamental 
laws of the British .Emi)ire. Indeed, this was the main pivot on which 
the whole controversy between the Colonies and the mother country 
tamed. 

During that long and arduous struggle which ensued between Great 
Britian and her American Colonies, and which ultimately terminated in 
the independence of the latter, the town of Windham entered warmly 
and zealously into the contest. From the commencement to the ter- 
mination of the war, we may safely say, that facts bear us out in the 
assertion, that this town contributed more than her full quota of men 
and money. 

Feb. 16, 1773, a town meeting was held at the meeting house, " To 
choose a Committee to act on any thing the town may think proper, in 
answer to the letter of correspondence sent by the town of Boston to 
tliis town, concerning the infringements which are made upon the 
rights and privileges that we ought to enjoy, and to do any thing that 
this town may think proper in answer to said letter." Capt. Caleb 
Grafiam was chosen Moderator, Thomas Mayberry, Richard Mayberry, 
Z. Hunnewell, Caleb Graffam, Thomas Trott, William Knights, and 
Hugh Crague were chosen a committee to make answer to the letter 
of correspondence from the town of Boston. The meeting was then 
adjourned to the 25th day of the month to hear the report of the com- 
mittee. At the adjourned meeting, the committee reported the follow- 
ing preamble and resolutions, which were read, accepted, and ordered 
to be recorded in the town clerk's book. 

" To the worthy gentlemen who are the committee of correspond- 
ence for the town of Boston : — Gentlemen, We, who are the commit- 
tee for the town of Windham, have considered of your pamphlet which 
you sent to this town and we report as follows : We understand that 
many towns older and much more capable of judging of affairs than 
we are, have fully investigated the subject, therefore we think it need- 
less for us to be very particular in the afiair. But we fully agree with 
you, gentlemen, in your sentiments concerning the liberties and privi- 
leges which we ought to enjoy, and the infringements which are made 
en the same. W^e, the people of Windham, have suffered much by 
the Indians, and did expect no other from ihem if we fell into their 
hands. But little did we think that unconstitutional and unbearable 
measures would be taken by those whom we depended upon to protect 
and defend our interests and privileges, both civil and sacred, even to 
bring us and our posterity into the greatest bondage, slavery, and mis- 
ery that people can well be under, even equal to or greater than the 
Egyptian bondage. Therefore — 

Resolved, That we declare ourselves to be true and legal subjects to 
our king, and arc ready to do our utmost whenever we are called to 
defend his royal person and interest. 

Resolved, That we look upon it our duty as well as interest, both for 
ourselves and our posterity, to stand up in the defence of those privi- 
leges and liberties that our goodly forefathers purchased for us at so 



17 

dear h rate as the expense of their own blood, and that wc used for- 
merly and still ought to enjoy. 

Resolved, That the town of Windham returns humble and hearty 
thanks to the town of Boston for the care and regard that they discover 
for us and the whole province. 

Resolved, That the foregoing resolves and proceedings be register' 
ed in the town clerk's office, that the rising generation may see what 
care their forefathers have taken to defend their liberties and privileg- 
es, that they may take the like care if they are called to it as we are." 

In Jan. 1774, a further communication was received from the town 
of Boston relative to public aflairs. A town meeting was held Jan. 24, 
1774, " To see what the town think proper to do relating to the late 
papers from Boston." At this meeting it was voted, " That the com- 
mittee of correspondence for this town, send to the committee of 
correspondence for the town of Boston, their sentiments relating to 
our public affairs." Which the committee accordingly did, express- 
ing in bold and energetic language, their determination to adhere to 
and support their brethren in every measure touching the rights 
and liberties of the country. And, at a subsequent meeting, Feb. 14, 
'74, the proceedings of the committee were sanctioned and accepted 
by the town. 

Aug. 30, '74, a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Falmoutl 
was held, at which Jedediah Preble, Enoch Freeman, Stephen Long 
fellow, Enoch llsley, and Samuel Freeman, were chosen a " commit 
tee to meet committees from the several towns in this county to con 
sider what measures it will be expedient to adopt for the general inter 
est of the county, in the present alarming situation of our public afiairs ; 
and that the said committee write to the said towns, acquainting them 
with this vote, and appoint the time and place of meeting." 

Agreeably to this vote a convention of delegates, from nine towns 
in this county, assembled at Falmouth, now Portland, Sept. 21, 
1774. The town of Windham was represented in this convention by 
Zerubbabel Hunnewell, Thomas Trott, and David Barker. In this 
convention the Cumberland County Resolves were passed, which are 
probably the ablest exposition of public affairs, at that time, now extant. 
In point of clearness, ability, and sound reasoning, they will not suffer 
in comparison with any of the productions of that day. Their great 
length must be my apology for the omission, on the present occasion, 
of all, except one, of their recommendations to the several towns in the 
county. 

" 9th. As the very extraordinary and alarming Act for establishing 
the Roman Catholic religion and French laws in Canada, may introduce 
the French and Indians into our frontier towns, we recommend that ev- 
ery town and individual in this county, should be pi'ovided with a proper 
stock of military stores, according to our province law, and that some 
patriotic military officers be chosen in each town, to exercise their sev- 
eral companies, and make them perfect in the military art." 

Agreeably to the recommendation of the county convention, a town 
meeting was notified and held at the block house, (fort,) Nov. 7, 1774, 
" To choose three officers to teach those who are so inclined, in the 
military art." At this meeting, Richard Mayberry was chosen Capt. 
David Barker Lieut, and Edward Anderson Ensign, and at the annu- 
al town meeting in March, 1775, it was " voted that William Knights 
be Capt. for the militia for this town. — Voted, that David Barker be 
Lieutenant. Voted, that Richard Dole be Ensign." 



18 

At a town meeting, March 15, 1775, — " Voted twenty seven pounds 
to be raised as soon as possible, to provide a town stock of ammuni- 
tion." " Voted to choose a man to fix up the great gun and swivels." 
"Voted that Capt. Caleb Graffambe the man to fix up the great gun 
and swivels as soon as possible." 

Although the ordnance department of Windham was not quite equal 
in magnitude, to that which accompanied the army of Napoleon in his 
invasion of Russia, yet it was their all, and they were determined to 
bring all their artillery into the field.* 

So ftir had the inhabitants of this town proceeded in anticipation of 
a war with England. Although for several years past, events had 
been ripening which could not fail of producing an explosion, the fatal 
blow had not yet been struck. It was, however, near at hand. Events 
were now rapidly approaching to a crisis. On the 19th of April, 1775, 
the dark and portentous cloud of war, which had long been gathering, 
burst upon the devoted colonies. On that day, the British troops at 
Lexington, Mass. fired upon, killed eight of the Americans, and wound- 
ed several others. This was the first blood spilt during the Revolu- 
tionary war. The soil of Lexington was moistened and consecrated 
by the blood of the first martyrs of liberty. The ever memorable bat- 
tle of Lexington opened the long and bloody drama that ensued be- 
tween Great Britian and her American colonies, and lighted up the 
flames of war, which continued for the long period of eight years,t 
during which, they consumed every vestige of British authonty, and 
were extinguished only by Great Britian's acknowledging the thirteen 
United Colonies to be free, sovereign, and Independent States. 

Every mild and constitutional measure had been exhausted in vain. 
Petitions, expressed in the ablest manner, and in language the most 
respectfid, were unheeded. The Throne and Parliament were deaf to 
the voice of justice and reason. And no alternative was left but an 
unconditional surrender of those rights which the colonies held dearer 
than life — or an appeal to arms. Our fathers, appealing to heaven for 
the sincerity of their intentions and the justness of their cause, chose 
the latter alternative, regardless of the consequences. 

From this time to the close of the war, the calls upon this town for 
men, money, clothing, and provisions, were incessant. Some idea 
may be formed of the number and magnitude of the requisitions made 
by the State, and the amount of money expended by this town, from 
the following brief but imperfect summary of a part of the men, mon- 
ey, provisions, and clothing furnished by the town. 

1775, 7 men in the State service at Cambridge, for 8 months. — 4 
men in the State service at Falmouth, for 8 months. — 6 men in the 
State service at Cambridge, for 2 months. 

1776, 13 men in the State service at Peekskill, for 3 months. — 9 
men in the State service at Dorchester, for 4 months. — 4 men in the 
State service at Rhode Island, for 4 months. — 6 men in the State ser- 
vice, for 12 months. 

1777, 3 men in the State service at Rutland, Vt. — Feb. 21, State 
tax, ^97, 5, 4. 

1778, April 14, " Voted =£150, to provide shirts, stockings, and 
shoes for the army." — " Voted, that =£20 be raised to sujiport the sol- 
dier's wives. — May 15, 3 men drafted into the State service at Peek- 

*See Note No. 8, in Appendix. 
fSee Note No. 0, in Appendix. 



1^ 

skill. — .£600 voted by the town for the same. — May 25, 2 men draft- 
ed in the State service. — cfSS voted by the town for the same. 

1779, Jan. 12, " Voted ,£'80 for the support of the women whose 
husbands arc in the army. — May 24, " Voted c£'300 for the support of 
the women whose husbands are in the Continental service." — .lune 21, 
13 shirts, 13 pr. shoes and stockings for the army. — July 9, 16 men 
drafted into the service at Penobscot, for 2 months. — <X'960 voted for 
the same. — Sept. 10 men drafted into the service at Falmouth, for 
2 months. — Sept. 20, .£"300 voted for the same by the town. 

1780, 11 men in the service at Camden, for 8 months. — Sept. 25, 
2760 lbs beef for the army. — Dec. 4, .5011 lbs. beef for the army. — 
State tax £6090.* — Nov. 29, 6 men furnished the Continental for 3 
years. 

17S1, Jan. 16, " Voted 2280 dollars, silver money, for the soldiers 
who are to go into the army for 3 years." — State tax £394, 6s. — June 
22, 9 shirts, 9 pr. shoes and stockings, and 4 blankets for the army. 
— July 14, £60 voted by the town to procure beef for the army. — Ju- 
ly, 4 men for the Continental army for 3 years. — Nov. 8, State tax 
£555. 

1782, March 1, 3 men for the Continental army for 3 years. — May 
31, " Voted £173 to pay the soldiers."! 

In addition to the above, there was a considerable number of men 
belonging to this town who enlisted into the service, several of whom 
served nearly tlic whole of the war ; to which may be added those in 
this town belonging to Capt. Mayberry's company. In Nov. 1776, 
Capt. Kichard Mayberry, of this town, enlisted a company of 64, in- 
cluding officers and privates, into the Continental service for three 
years. I 

The captain of this company and eleven of the members belonged 
to this town. This was the fifth company in the eleventh regiment of 
the Mass. Bay Forces. This company was in the left wing of the army 
commanded by Gen. Gates, in the inemorable campaign of 1777, and 
shared in common with their brethren in arms, in all the hardships and 
dangers of that campaign, which terminated so gloriously in the capture 
of Gen. Burgoyne and his army at Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777. They 
were in the battle of Monmouth,^ June 28, 1778, in which they suifered 
severely, and also in the engagement at Hubbardstown. We may 
judge of the efforts put ibrtli Ijy the inhabitants of this town during the 
revolutionary war from the :..cts, that there was but one military com- 
pany in town during tlie wiu', that the number of men enrolled at any 
time did not amount to 55, of whom more than 30 were known to be 
out in the continental service and service of the Slate at one time, and 
during the war 71 men performed service in the continental army and 
drafted militia, being 16 more than the number enrolled at any time, 
40 of whom served three years in the army : that this town, small in 
numbers, poor in point of pecuniary means, in one of the darkest peri- 
ods of the revolution, voted 2280 dollars in silver money, to support 
the war, are facts which will forever stand forth as living mementoes of 
the devotion and attachment of this town to the cause of civil liberty. 

The sufferings of the armies and people of the United States during 
the war of the revolution surpass description. The armies suffered by 
the attacks of the enemy, by cold, by heat, by hunger, by disease, and 

* See Note No. 10, in Appendix. 
f See Note No. 11, in Appendix. 
I See Note No. 12, in Appendix. 



20 

by all liie privations and hardships incident to war. At one time there 
were but two pair of shoes in Capt. Mayberry's company, which be- 
longed to Josiah Chute,* the grandson of Thomas Chute, the first set- 
tler of this town. He was sergeant of the company and was wounded 
by a musket shot in the battle of Hubbardstown. Indeed, it was not 
uncommon to track the march of the American armies by the blood 
from their lacerated feet. 

" At the battle of the Eutaw Springs, Gen. Green says, ' that hun- 
dreds of my men were naked as they were born.' Posterity will 
scarcely believe that the bare loins of many brave men who carried 
death into the enemy's ranks at the Eutaw, were galled by their cart- 
ridge boxes, while a folded rag or a tuft of moss protected the shoulders 
from sustaining the same injury from the musket. Men of other times 
will inquire, by what magic was the army kept together } By what 
supernatural power was it made to fight?" 

Gen. Green, in his letters to the Secretary of War, says : " We have 
three hundred men without arms, and more than one thousand so naked 
that they can be put on duty only in cases of a desperate nature." — 
Again he says : " Our difficulties are so numerous, and our wants so 
pressing, that I have not a moment's relief from the most painful anxie- 
ties. I have more embarrassments than it is proper to disclose to the 
world. Let it suffice to say, that this part of the United States has had 
a narrow escape. I have been seven months in the field without taking 
ofi' my clothes." 

Gen. Washington, in his letters to Congress, in 1777, says : " Soap, 
vinegar, and other articles allowed by Congress, we see none of, nor 
have we seen them, I believe, since the battle of Brandy wine. The 
first indeed we have little occasion for, few men having more than one 
shirt, many only the moiety of one, and some none at all. In addition 
to which as a farther proof of the inability of an army under the cir- 
cumstances of this, to perform the common duties of soldiers, we have 
by a field return this day made, besides a number of men confined to 
hospitals for want of shoes, and others in farmer's houses on the same 
account, no less than two thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight men 
now in camp, unfit for duty, because they are barefoot and otherwise 
naked."! 

Nor were the calamities of the war confined to the armies. The peo- 
ple of the United States were beset at all points with enemies, external 
and internal. They had not only to contend against the whole power 
of Great Britain and her foreign mercenaries, against the savage hordes 
employed by Great Britain, " whose known rule of warfare is an undis- 
tinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions," but also against 
domestic enemies more treacherous than the savage. Towns were 
wrapt in flames, hundreds of families turned houseless into the streets, 
and reduced from afflueirt circumstances to abject poverty. Iti short, the 
people of the United Stales passed through every calamity and every spe- 
cies of suffering attendant upon war. — Well might they say these were 
times that " tried men's souls." But amidst all their sufferings they nev- 
er despaired of success. Trusting in the justness of their cause, they 
pressed forward with unabated ardor, until their efforts were crowned 
with complete success. 

In the second year of the war, July 4, 1776, the Colonial Congress 
declared the thirteen united colonies to be iree, sovereign, and inde- 
pendent States, and pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to 

* See Note No. 13, in Appendix. 

\ Marshall'ai Life of Washington, vol. 1, page 220. 



support it. This declaration they made good to the very letter in ail 
its length and breadth, and subsequently compelled the gigantic power 
of Great Britain, by the treaty of 17S8, to sanction and acknowledge it. 
Thus terminated the long and arduous struggle between Great Britain 
and her American Colonies. 

It has been stated that Great Britain in this war lost of her own sub- 
jects and mercenaries 100,000 lives, and added to her national debt 
=£120,000,000 sterling, winning nothing but an inglorious defeat. The 
United Sates established their National Independence, at an immense 
sacrifice of blood and treasure, losing, probably, more than 50,000 
brave men, and expended $135,193,703,* besides individual expendi- 
tures and damages to an untold amount. 

" The loss of men to Massachusetts, in the field, in the camp, and in 
prison ships, has been estimated at a number between 8 and 9 thousand. 
Her own debt incurred was about five millions of dollars in specie 
value, besides her proportion of the national debt, which was estimated 
to be as much more. The quota to Maine of these and all other public 
burthens was one tenth. The men belonging to Maine, who fell dur- 
ing the war, must have exceeded a thousand."! 

Virtue and Intelligence, the sure foundations of Republican Govern- 
ments, and the solid basis of good society, have been fostered by the 
inhabitants of this town with a commendable constancy and vigilance. 
During the most trying periods they have been called to pass through, 
the public worship of the Supreme Being, and the cause of education, 
have been strictly attended to. 

Samuel Webb taught the first school in this town. He moved from 
Falmouth to this town March 15, 1743, and was employed by the in- 
habitants for many years after, to instruct their children. 

At a town meeting " Oct. ye 7th, 1765," three years after the incor- 
poration of the town, it was " Voted, that a school be kept in said town 
of Windham till the next annual meeting." (March 26, 1766.) Also, 
" Voted, that twenty-six pounds be allowed to pay a schoolmaster fill 
March meeting next." Benjamin Moody taught school in Windham in 
1772, and John Patterson in 1773. These were the venerable school- 
masters of " olden times." 

The town at different times have voted the following sums for the 
support of schools. In 1770, ^30 ; 1775, =£40 ; 1778, ^80 ; 1780, 
o£:400 ; 1781, ^^60 silver money ; 1785, <£30 ; 1790, =£40 ; 1795, ^70 ; 
1800, <£'100; 1805, $700; 1810, 8700; 1815, $1000; 1820, $946 ; 
1825, $1017 ; 1830, $1046 ; 1835, $1146 ; 1839, $1146. 

In 1789, there were 6 school districts ; in 1821, 13, and at the pres- 
ent time, 18, and as many school houses, some of which, particularly 
those recently built, are of the best materials and upon the most im- 
proved construction, and reflect great credit upon the districts to which 
they belong. The number of scholars in this town, between the ages 
of 4 and 21, were in 1825, 778 ; 1830, 812 ; 1835, 830 ; and in 1839, 
877.| 

Although this town like the great majority of towns in the State, has 
no colleges or academies, yet it is believed that its population will not 
suffer on comparison in literary attainments whh the mostfavoi'ed towns. 
It has a school fund of the annual income of $146, being the avails of 
the school right reserved for the support of schools in the grant of the 

* See Note No. 14, in Appendix. 

t Williamson's History of Maine, vol. 2, page 505. 

t See Note No. 15, in Appendix. 



22 

township. Tiicre arc two social libraries in this town. One at Wind- 
him Corner, established in 1817, containing 166 volumes, and one at 
Little Fulls, established in 1831, containing 180 volumes. 

The Congregational is the oldest and largest religious society. They 
built the first meeting-house in this town in 1740. In 1743, a church 
of seven persons was formed and a Pastor settled. 

John Wight was the first settled minister. He graduated at Harvard 
College in 1721, came from Dedham, Mass. to this town, ordained Dec. 
14, 1743, and preached here until his death. He died May 8, 1753, 
aged 55 years. 

Peter Thatcher Smith was the second minister. He was the son of 
the Rev. Thomas Smith, of Falmouth, now Portland, and grandson of 
Thomas Smith, of Boston, merchant. He was born in Falmouth, .Tune 
14, 1731, graduated at Harvard College 1753, ordained Sept. 22, 1762, 
dismissed Nov. 26, 1790, died Oct. 26, 1826, in the 96th year of his 
age, having preached 28 years and 2 months. 

Nathaniel Slone was the third minister. He graduated at Harvard 
College in 1795, came from Provincetown, Mass. to this town, ordained 
Oct. 1, 1798, dismissed Feb. 3, 1805, and is now living in Naples, Me. 

Asa Lyman was the fourth minister. He was born in Lebanon, 
Conn, about 1777, graduated at Yale College, 1802 or '3, installed 
Nov. 30, 1809, dismissed June 1, 1810, died in the State of New York, 
1836, aged 59 years. 

Gardner Kelloo-o; was the fifth minister. He v/as born in Old Had- 
ley, Mass. in 1765, graduated at Yale College about 1786, installed 
April 25, 1811, and continued Pastor until his death. He died Nov. 
29, 1826, aged 61 years. 

William Cragg was the sixth minister. Fie came from Groton, Mass., 
graduated at Harvard College 1820, ordained Oct. 15, 1828, dismissed 
Aug. 31, 1831, and is now living in Bedford, Mass. 

Jonathan Lee Hale was the seventh minister. He was born in Ca- 
naan, Conn, in 1790, graduated at Middlebury College in 1819, came 
from Campton, N. H. to this town, ordained Sept. 12, 1832, and con- 
tinued Pastor until his death. He died at Savannah, in the State of 
Georgia, .Jan. 15, 1835, aged 45 years. 

John W. Shepard was the eighth and present minister. He came 
from Gilmantown, N. H., and was ordained Aug. 3, 1836. 

This society has two meeting-houses for public worship : one in the 
south part of the town, standing on land given to the town by Joseph 
Blaney and Paul Little, Esqrs. and Capt. Thomas Barker, for a training 
ground, burying ground, and a site for a meeting-house, which was 
erected in 1795, being the fourth Congregational Meeting-house erected 
in Windham. The other, the north meeting-house at Windham Cor- 
ner, was erected in 1834, and is the fifth Congregational Meeting-house.* 
They have a ministerial fund of the annual income of $225, being the 
proceeds of the ministerial right reserved in the grant of the township, 
for the support of the ministry. 

The Friends Society are the next oldest in town. There were per- 
sons of this denomination in town anterior to 1774. At a town meet- 
ing, Oct. 13, 1774, it was voted to excuse eight persons of this society 
from paying ministerial taxes. They had a meeting for worship estab- 
lished in this town in 1779, a preparative meeting in 1793, a quarterly 
meeting in 1801, and a monthly meeting in 1802. They have a large 
and convenient meeting-house nearly in the centre of the town, erectc'l 

* Sec Note No- 16, in Appendix. 

LOFC 



23 

in 1800. There are forty-five families in town belonging to this society. 

The Baptists are the next. They were incorporated in 1791 — they 
have a meeting-house in the south part of the town, opposite the resi- 
dence of the late Dr. Rea, erected in 1822. 

The Methodists are the fourth society. They have a small meeting- 
house at the centre of the town, erected in 1792. The number of fam- 
ilies in town belonging to this society are supposed to be about forty. 
There are also persons of other religious denominations in town. 

Doct. Caleb Rea was the first physician in this town. He was the 
youngest son of Dr. Caleb Rea, of Danvers, Mass. and was born in that 
town, March, 1758. He read medicine with Drs. Holyokc and Putman, 
two eminent physicians of Salem and Danvers. Towards the close of 
the revolutionary war he entered the navy as surgeon, where he ac- 
quired much practical information in that important branch of his pro- 
fession. At the close of the war he took passage to the East Indies, 
where, and in Europe, he passed between two and three years. Soon 
after his return to his native land lie moved his family to Windham, in 
1785 — 6, and entered upon the duties of his profession, where he con- 
tinued to labor until his death. He died Dec. 29, 1796, at the age of 
39 years. 

Dr. James Paine was the second physician. He was born Feb. 16, 
1759, in Eastham, Barnstable County, Mass., where he lived until 1779, 
engaged in studies preparatory to a profession under the instruction of 
the Rev. J. Crocker. One year of this time he passed in the army, 
serving in the revolutionary war as a volunteer. In 1788 he commen- 
ced the practice of medicine in Limerick, York County, where he re- 
mained until 1797. — He then removed to this town, and devoted him- 
self to his profession until 1818, when his health failed, he gave up his 
profession, removed to Portland, and acted as magistrate until his death, 
which occurred Feb. 22, 1822, aged 63 years. 

Drs. Folsom, Calvin How, Jacob Hunt, James Merrill, John 

Waterman, S. W^. Baker, Charles G. Parsons and Joseph Addison Par- 
sons, have also practiced medicine in this town. 

Joseph Pope first opened an office in this town, for the practice of 
law, in 1803, since which Barker Curtis, Asa Mitchell, Hezekiah Frost, 
Thomas Amory Deblois, and John Eveleth have successively practiced 
law in Windham.* 

The first post office established in Windham was in 1798, at Wind- 
ham Corner. Col. Edward Anderson was the first post-master. Since 
which two others have been established — one at Little Falls, in 1828, 
(South Windham,) of which Jonathan Andrew, Esq. was the first post- 
master, and the other at Windham Upper Corner, in 1833, (North 
AVindham,) of which Daniel S. Littlefield was the first post-master. 

The population of this town, at different periods since the first settle- 
ment, was, in 1759, 29 families ; in 1762, 39 families ; in 1764, 250 
inhabitants; in 1790, 938; in 1800, 1329; in 1810, 1613; in 1820, 
1793; in 1830, 2186; in 1837, 2207; (and in 1840, 2274.) There 
has never been any very rapid increase or diminution of inhabitants in 
this town ; the population has increased but little recently, owing to 
emigration to the new settled towns. The increase of population for 
the last ten years being only four per cent. 

There was but one military company in Windham until after the 
Revolutionary war. At the present time there are two companies of 

* See Note No. 17, ia Appendix. 



24 

Infantry, one of Light Infantry, and one of Riflemen, composed of the 
citizens of this town and Gorham. 

This town lias live public Burying-grounds. The first and most an- 
cient is on the farm where Abraham Andei'son now lives, which was 
given to the town by his father, Abraham Anderson, in 1768. The 
second is on the farm now owned by Col. Edward Anderson, and for- 
merly the farm of the late Peter T. Smith, and given by him to the 
town. These depositories of the dead are in the centre of the " home 
lots." In these cemeteries the bones of most of the early fathers of 
the town are interred. The third is in school district No. 2. The 
fourth at Windham corner, and the fifth at Windham upper corner.* 

Thomas Manchester, son of Stephen Manchester the fifth settler of 
this town, was the first child born in Windham. He was born in 1739. 
_Nancy Mayberry, daughter of Wm. Mayberry the second settler, was 
the second child born, and first female birth. She was born May 23, 
1740, and died Feb. 12, 1808, aged 68 years. Her remains are in- 
terred in a buryinsr-ground on the farm formerly owned by Paul Little, 
Esq. 

The committees of safety, correspondence, and inspection, were in 

1775, Z. Hunnewell, Tho. Trott, David Barker, and Caleb Graffam. — 

1776, Z. Hunnewell, Cal jb Grafl^am, Richard Mayberry, Tho. Trott, 
and Isaac Hardy. — 1777, Z. Hunnewell, Abraham Osgood, William 
Knights, Daniel Pattengall, and Caleb Graffam. — 1778, Z. Hunnewell, 
Paul Little, and David Noyes. — 1779, Wm. Knights, David Barker, 
and Daniel Pattengall. — 1780, Caleb Graffam,' Paul Little, and Zerub- 
babel Hunnewell. — 1781, Abraham Osgood, Richard Mayberry, and 
Thomas Trott. — 1782, A. Osgood, Richard Mayberry, and Thomas 
Trott. — 1783, Z. Hunnewell, David Barker, and Thomas Barker. 

Windham was first represented in the General Court of Mass, in 
1767, by Abraham Anderson. Josiah Chute and Noah Read, were the 
delegates who represented the town in the convention which framed 
the Constitution of Maine in 1819, and Gen. Daniel Hall first repre- 
sented the town in the Legislature of Maine, in 1820. 

Many of the inhabitants of this town have attained to a great age. 
Probably no town in the State, of the same population, can produce a 
greater number of instances of great longevity. Since the first settle- 
ment of the town, 73 persons have died of 80 and under 90 ; 22 of 90 
and under 100 ; 1 of 100, and 1 of 101 years — making 97 of 80 years 
and upwards. At the present time, there are 70 persons living in the 
town, of 70 and under 80, and 18 of 80 and under 90, one of 91, one 
of 92, and one of 95 years, — making the whole number of persons liv- 
ing in the town, at the present time, of 70 years and upwards, 91.t 

Time admonishes me that I should close this address. We have 
been taking a retrospective view of the past. But who shall disclose, 
the future } Of the immense number who compose the assembly ->r> 
this occasion, probably not one will survive the lapse of a hundred 
years. Ere the return of another Centennial Anniversary, we, the in- 
tervening generations who connect the past with the future, shall have 
passed from the stage of action, and shall have been gathered to the 
graves of our fathers, and our places supplied by generations yet 
unborn. 



*See Note No. 18, in Appendix. 
] See Note No. 19, in Appendix. 



25 

May we be permitted to indulge tlie hope, that the example of our 
ancestors, in all that is good and worthy of imitation, will not be lost 
upon us, their descendants. Let us indulge the hope that the rich leg- 
acy bequeathed to us, and sealed with the blood of our fathers, will be 
transmitted pure and untarnished by us and our posterity to the latest 
period of time. 

In conclusion permit me to say, fellow citizens, that I have endeav- 
ored to give as faithful a sketch of the early historical events of the 
town, as the short notice, the little time I have had to devote to the 
subject, and the difficulty of obtaining correct information, relative to 
events which have long since transpired, would allow. 

While contemplating the various scenes through which the inhabi- 
tants of this town and nation have passed during the past century, 
and contrasting them with their present prosperous and happy condi- 
tion, let us ascribe all the praise to that Being from whom cometh ev- 
ery " good and perfect gift." Let eveiy heart, on the present oc- 
casion, expand with gratitude to the God of our fathers who has raised 
us from such small and feeble beginnings to be a large, prosperous, 
and happy town, and exalted our nation to heaven in point of privileg- 
es, and given it the first rank among the nations of the earth. 



APPENDIX, 
rvo. I. 

Names of the Grantees of New Marhlehead, now Windham. 
Jeremiah Allen, Micah Bovvden, Robert Bull, Nathaniel Bartletle, 
John Bailey, Thomas Bartlette, Nathan Bowen, Francis Bowden, Jed- 
ediah Bloney, Samuel Brimblecom, Joseph Blaney, Thomas Chute, 
Peter Coleman, Moses Calley, Nathaniel Cogswell, Richard Dana, 
Benjamin Dodge, Humphrey Deverux, Nicholas Edgscome, Nathaniel 
Evans, John Gclton, Thomas Frothingham, Joseph Gallison, Joseph 
Griffin, William Goodwin, Robei't Hooper, Ebenezer Hawkes jr., Abra- 
ham Howard, Benjamin Hendley, Edward Holyoke, Joseph Howard, 
John Homan, Ebenezer Hawkes, Benjamin James, William Ingalls, 
Giles Iremy, Samuel Lee, Joseph Majory, Isaac Maxfield, William 
Mayberry, John Oulton, Robert Paramore, George Pigot, John Palmer, 
Jonathan Proctor, James Perrimon, James Pierson, John Reed, Richard 
Reed, Samuel Stacy 3d, James Sharrar, John Stacy, Ebenzer Stacy, 
James Skinner, Joseph Swett, Joseph Smithurst, Andrew Tucker, Isaac 
Turner, Calley Wright, Thomas Wood. 

No. 2. 

The original boundaries of New Marblehead, as laid out May 15, 
1735, were as follows, to wit : 

" We began at a place called Saccarappa Falls, in Presumscot river, 
and so as the river runs to a great pond called great Sebago Pond, 
thence north 45 deg. east 4 miles and 120 rods, thence south 45 deg. 
east to North Yarmouth back line, thence 3 miles south 45 deg. west 
to the corner of North Yarmouth and Falmouth bounds, thence south 
24 deg. 20 minutes west 8 miles and 60 rods to Saccarappa Falls." 

No. 3. 

Boundary lines between Windham and Falmouth, as established by 
an act of the General Court, Nov. 27, 1761. 
4 



" Viz. Beginning at a white rock by the water side in Casco Bay 
and running northwest ninety-five rods to the stump of a' red oak tree, 
which was formerly marked F, and from thence northwest on the line 
between the towns of Falmouth and North Yarmouth eight miles to a 
pine marked F, for the northwest corner of the said town of Falmouth, 
and from thcnCe and the lines between said town of Falmouth and the 
said New Marblehead. To run on a straight line to come fifteen rods 
to the eastward of a brook, called Inkhorn brook, below the mouth of 
said brook, whence it enters into the river called Presumscot river. — 
To run again from the said pine tree back on the line of Falmouth, 
ninety-five rods to tlhe southeast corner of North Yarmouth, being a 
stake, and from thence northeast three miles on the bounds between 
North Yarmouth and New Marblehead to the lines of New Boston." — 
(Gray.) 

Ho. 4. 

The following exhibit shows the number of acres of land in Wind- 
ham, exclusive of r®ads, and how disposed of, viz : 

1st division ten acre lots assigned to the 63 original rights, 630 acres. 
2d do. 630 " 

1st do. of one hundred acre lots do. 6300 " 

2d do. do. 12600 » 

let do. of seventy-three acre lots do. 4599 " 

24759 
24749^63=393 
Twelve 100 acre lots sold by proprietors to individuals, 1200 " 

Nos. 76 and 140 not drawn, 2Q0 " 



26159 



No. 5, 

Bolton was carried captive to Quebec ; here the captain of a French 
frigate purchased him for a servant ; he went on board the French 
frigate in that capacity. Shortly after she put to sea she came in con- 
tact with an English frigate — a severe engagement ensued — the French 
frigate was captured, and her crew transferred on board the English 
vessel. Lieut. Wallace, 2d Lieut, of the English frigate, having learn- 
ed the history of Bolton, out of motives of kindness obtained him for a 
servant. He was directed to make tea for the Lieutenant's mess, — he 
had a canister containing one pound of green tea, and a copper tea- 
kettle large enough to contain two quarts. Bolton, who had never seen 
any tea before, and wholly unacquainted with making it, put the whole 
pound of tea into the kettle, filled it with cold water and put it over the 
fire to steep. In process of time the water waxed hot, the tea began to 
swell, blew the " kiver" sky high and foamed out. Presently news 
came to the Lieut, that there was a "tempest in the teapot," — he " pi- 
ped all hands," and in a few minutes Bolton found himself surrounded 
by a dense little congregation, and stood palsied with astonishment at 
the wonderful phenomenon before him. The Lieut, supposing that 
Bolton had done this of his " malice aforethought," foamed with as 
much violence as the teapot. He ordered Bolton to be lashed to the 
gangway and whipped. The French captain believing Bolton had done 
this through ignorance, soon ascertained the fact and communicated it 
to Lieut. Wallace, when Wallace interrogated Bolton upon the " affair," 
and particularly whether he had ever made any tea before. Bolton 
replied tlmt he had not, but supposed he must make it as his mother did 
herb tea. Upon hearing this the Lieut, was as much excited with 
laughter as before with rage, — he ordered him to be discharged fron^ 



27 

duress. The pavifculars of this transaction were soon communfcaled io 
all the officers and crew of tlie vessel, and occasioned much merriment 
and laughter. Eight or ten years after Bolton's return to this town, he 
was at Falmouth, now Portland, where he fell in company with his old 
master, Lieut. Wallace — *, cordial greeting ensued — Wallace was now 
out of employ and poor. Bolton, who always entertained a strong at- 
tachment for Wallace, took him home with him to Windham, treated 
him with great kindness, where he lived with him until his death. He 
died at the advanced age of 80 years. His remains are interred ia 
Anderson's burying ground, the most ancient in town. 

]lfo. 6. 

Ezra Brown, who was killed by Poland, left a wife and four children - 
■ — three sons, William, Ezra and Amos, and one daughter, Lydia, whose 
descendants are numerous. One of his sons, Ezra, died in this town 
March 31, 1826, aged 76 years. He was a man of superior abilities, 
was representative of the town in the Legislature of Massachusetts in 
1797, and 18 years one of the Selectmen of the town. He was one of 
the Selectmen from 1782 to 1802, excepting 1789 and 1799 ; also, one 
of the Selectmen in 1807. 

Ephraim Winship, anterior to his being wounded by the Indians, had 
been married, but at the time he was wounded he had no wife, she 
having deceased before, leaving six children. Winship recovered of 
his wounds, notwithstanding the Indians had taken two scalps from his 
head and gave him a blow with a hatchet, leaving him for dead. The 
Indians took two scalps from Winship in consequence of his having two 
crowns on his head. They left a narrow strip of skin extending from 
the forehead directly over the top to the back part of the head, between 
the two scalps which they had taken ofl". In consequence of this 
" searching operation" of the Indians upon the head of Winship, it ever 
after presented a very singular appeai'ance. Some time after this Win- 
ship was married to his second wife, by whom he had five more chil- 
dren, thereby strictly fulfilling the commands given to Noah and his. 
sons, " Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth." He was a 
native of Lexington, Mass., and died in Windham, June 4, 1766, aged 
55 years. 

No. 7, 

Towns and Counties by the name of Windham, where situated, and 
the population they contained in 1820 : 

Toions. Counties. States. Pop. Towns. Counties. 
Windham, Cumberland, Me. 1793 1 Windham, Windham, 
Windham, Windham, Vt. 931 | Windham, Greene, 
Windham, Rockingham, N. H. 889 Windham, Bradford, 
Windham, Luzerne, Penn, 889 | Windham, Portage, 

Population of the County of Windham, in Vermont, 

« " " " in Connecticut, 31684 

" Windham or Wymondham, town in flie county of Norfolk, Eng., market 
on Friday, 9 miles W. S,VV. Norwich, 103 N, London, population 4,023.— 
The chief trade of the place is making wooden ware." 

No. 8. 

In the summer of 1776, the great gun and one swivel were carried 
to Falmouth and put on board the privateer Reprieve, commanded by 
Capt. Joshua Stone. The other swivel was intentionally destroyed, a 
few years ago, at Windham Upper Corner, so that none of these relics 
of antiquity are now to be fotnd. 



States. 


Pop. 


Ct. 


2489 


N.Y. 


2536 


Penn. 


350 


Ohio, 


472 


28457 





28 

No. 9. 

'The entire time from the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, 
April 19, 1775, until Sept. 3, 1783, the time when the definitive treaty 
of peace was signed at Paris, was 8 years 4 months and 14 days. — 
Hostilities, however, ceased in a great measure after the surrender of 
the British army under Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown, in Virginia, Oct. 
19, 1781. 

No. to. 

" The whole amount of continental money issued from June 22, 
1775, to Nov. 1779, was 241,552,780 dollars. The depreciation was 
rapid ; by an act of the General Court the rate of depreciation on all 
contracts, was as follows : for every $100 in gold or silver, in January, 
1777, $105 in paper of the United Stales was to be received ; in July, 
$125 in paper; m October, $275; 1778, Jan. $325; April, $400; 
July, $425; Oct. $500; 1779, Jan. $745 ; April, $1104; July, $1477; 
Oct. $2030 ; 1780, Jan. $2934 ; April, $4000 ; from April 1st to 20th, 
1780, one Spanish dollar was equal to $40 in paper of the old emission ; 
May 25, it was equal to $60. The paper depreciated gradually until 
Feb. 27, 1781, when one Spanish dollar was worth $75 in paper. At 
that time a new emission was made of paper, which was a little short 
of $2 for $1 of silver. This, however, continually depreciated until 
Oct. 1, 1781, it stood at $4 to $1." — Willis' History of Portland, jmrl 
11, page 163. 

IVo. II. 

"During the winter session (1776) the General Court arranged the 
militia anew ; and formed Massachusetts proper into three divisions and 
Maine into one." " All able bodied males between 16 and 60 years 
were enrolled and compelled to do military duty, except Quakers, set- 
tled ministers of the Gospel, the officers of Harvard College, colored 
men and Indians." — Williamson'' s History of Maine., vol. 2, page 44:5. 

List of men belonging to Windham, who performed service in the 
Continental army and drafted militia during the revolutionary war. 
Those loho served three years. 

Elias Legrow, Joseph Legrow, Caleb Young, Richard Thurrill, Amos 
Brown ji'., Stephen Tripp, Samuel Knights, James Jordan, Job Hall, 
Richard Mayberry, Josiah Chute, William Mayberry, John Swett, Sam- 
uel Tobin, John Mugford, Hezekiah Hall, Nathaniel Gammon, Stephen 
Lowell, William Cammell, Enoch Hall, Jeremiah Small, Richard Dole, 
Edward Webb, Samuel Chandler, Eli Webb, Samuel Lord, Amos 
Brown,* Richard Presson, Stephen Hutchinson, William Hardy, John 
Knight, Nicholas Hughes, Robert Millions, Ebenezer Barton, Enoch 
Graffam, Stephen Manchester. Colored men — Flanders, Romeo, Lon- 
non, Peter Smith. 

* Killed at the Battle of Hubbardstown. 

Those who served less than three years at one time. 

James Chute, Ichabod Hanson, George Knights, John Winship, Na- 
thaniel Chase, Joseph Hutchinson, Samuel Hutchinson, George Crock- 
ett, Stephen Harris, Thomas Chute, Thomas Crague, Jeremiah Jordon, 
Daniel Crockett, John Young, Edward Anderson, Abraham Anderson, 
John Anderson, Thomas Trott, Benjamin Trott, James Mayberry, John 
Mayberry, William Mayberry jr., Thomas Mayberry, David Mayberry, 
Thomas Bolton, John Elder, William Elder, Joseph Elder, Richard 
Hunnewell, Benjamin Bodge, Thomas Bodge. 



29' 

No. S^. 

"Muster Roll of Capt. Richard Mayberry's company in Battallion of 
Massachusetts Bay Forces, in the service of the United States, com- 
manded by Col. Benjamin Tupper, 11th Regiment 5tl) Company. — 
Taken for Dec. 1778."" 

Commissioned Officers. — Ricliard Mayberry, Captain, W ; Silas Chadbourn, 
Lieutenant ; Jonathan Libby, Ensijrn. 

Serjeants. — Joab Libby, Josiab Chute, W, Amos Allen. 

Corporals. — Nathaniel Lombard, Chandler Rackley, Ebenezer Barton, W. 

Drummer. — Josiah Wallace. 

Fifer. — Christopher Dunn. 

Privates. — Joab Black, Sylvanus Bramhall, Charles Branscum, Geo. Berry, 
Benjamin Cresey, Epliraim Dyer, William Davis, John Green, David Guston, 
William Hunt, Nicholas Hughes, W, Hezekiah Jordon, Henry Jackson, James 
Jordon, W, Robert Jackson, Jedediah Lombard, Butler Lombard, Caleb Lom- 
bard, Francis Libby, William Mayberry, W, Robert Millions, W, George 
Robinson, John Swett, W, Walter Simonton, Ephraim Sawyer, Peter Smith, 
W, Joseph Stone, Daniel Small, Elisha Small, Joseph Thompson, William 
Thompson, Jesse Whitney, Joseph Webber, Jonathan Webster, Jonathan 
Bean, Thomas Chute, W, Peter Crockett, Thomas Guston, Jeremiah Hodg- 
don, Richard Hollis, Samuel Jordon, George Leach, David Mayberry, W, 
John Orion, Joseph Phinney, Peter Sandborn, Jonathan Swett, Samuel Small, 
Ebenezer Sawver, Benj. Trott, W, David Truill, Daniel Whitmore, Robert 
M'Farling. 

" West Point, Jan. 1, 1779, mustered then Capt. Richard Mayberry's 
company, as specified in the above Roll." 

]lo. 13. 

Josiah Chute was the son of Curtis Chute, and grandson of Thomas Chute, 
the first settler in Windham. Thomas Chute, the first settler, died in this 
town in 1770, aged 80 years. He had one son and two daughters. His son 
Curtis was killed by lightning at Portland, June 5, 1767. His daughter Sa- 
rah married to John Bodge, was drowned at Horse-beef Falls in 1776; his 
other daughter, Abigail, married with Mr. Cobham. Curtis Chute left a wife 
and five children — four sons, Josiah, Thomas, John and James, and one 
daughter. Three of his sons, Josiah, Thomas and James, were in the ser- 
vice in the course of the revolutionary war. Josiah was born in Windham, 
June 4, 1759, and died here Oct. 3, 1834, aged 75 years. His brother, Col. 
Thomas Chute, died here several years since. James died at sea. John, 
who now resides in Naples, is the only one of the family now living. Josiah 
Chute served five years in the army of the revolution, he frequently repre- 
sented this town in the Legislature of Mass., was one of the delegates in the 
State Convention that formed the Constitution of Maine, and for twenty years 
one of the Selectmen of the town. He left a wife and seven children, all of 
whom except one son (Josiah) are now living. 

Mo. 14. 

Expenses of the ivar of the revolution and the number of men furnished by the 

several States. 
" Owing to various causes the precise amount of expenditures for the war 
cannot be ascertained. The following estimate is supposed to approximate 
to the expense incurred : 

Estimated expenditures of 1775 and 1776, in specie, $20,064,666 66 

1777, 24,986,646 85 

1778, 24,289,438 26 

1779, 10,794,620 65 

1780, 3,000,000 00 

1781, 1,942,465 30 

1782, . 3,&32,745 85 

1783, 3,226,583 45 
To Nov. 1st, 1784, 548,525 63 

Forming an amount total of $92,485,693 15 



30 

To which should be added, 

Army debt upou Commissioners' certificates, 11,080,576 01 

Supplies furnished by citizens of the several States, 3,723,625 21 
Supplies from the Quarter-Master and Commissary's Dep't., 1,159,170 05 

Other supplies, certificates for which issued by Register, 744,638 49 

The foreign expenditures, civil, military, &.c. 5,000,000 00 

Estimated expenditures of the several States, 21,000,000 00 



Estimated expense of the war, in specie, $135,193,703 91 
Goodrich's Encyclopedia, page 437. 

Number of Troops (Continental and Militia) employed during the revolu- 
tion, and the quotas furnished by each Stale, taken from the Collections of 
the Hampshire Historical Society. 

I 



1775 I 1776 

Contl. Conll. Mil.' Cont. 

2,8-24 3,019 1,172 

16,444 13,372 4,000 7,816 

2,193 798 1,102 548 

4,5U7 6,390 5,737 4,563 

2,675 3,629 1,715 1,903 

3,193 5,893 



1777 

:ont. Mil. 



1778 

'Cont. Mil. 
1,283 



I 1779 I 1780 I 1781 | 1783 17S3 
Cbnt. Mil. Com. Mil. Conl. Mil. Cont. Cont. 
1,004 222 1,017 760 700 744 



7,010 1,927 6,287 1,451 4,553 3,436 3,732 



921 



4,010 
2,194 
1,586 



400 5,519 4,876 4,983 2,481 3,684 



N. Hampshire, 

Massachusetts, 

Rhode-Island, 

Connecticut, 

New-York, 

New Jersey, 

Pennsylvania, 

Delaware, 

Maryland, 

Virginia, 

North Carolina, 

South Carolina, 

Georgia, 

28,443 46,901 26,060 34,750 10,112 32,899 4,353 27,699 2,429 21,115 5,811 13,832 7,i 
Total Continental 231, 971— Militia 56,163 



609 145 229 

637 2,592 2,030 

6,181 5,744 

1,134 1,281 

2,069 1,630 

351 1,423 



1,535 3,307 

1,289 5,236 

1,287 



630 2,426 507 756 915 

3,133 

2,179 
1,105 
3,337 
325 
2,065 
2,486 



3,544 
2,256 
1,276 
3,476 
317 
2,849 
3,973 
1,214 



464 
554 2,420 1,501 
668 1,728 
162 823 
1,346 
231 89 



1,280 
1,204 



733 

4,370 

372 

1,740 

1,169 

675 

1,598 

235 

974 

629 

697 

139 

145 



14,256 13,076 



No. in. 



No. of Dwelling Houses, No. of Families, and No. of Scholars in the sev- 
eral School Districts. 



No. of the Districts. 



No. 



1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 



r Anderson's, 
■ Little Falls, 

Gambo, 
• Pleasant river, 
' Windham corner, 
'• Amos Hawkes, 
' Kenards' 
' Baker's corner, 
' Columbian or Dole's 

Ireland, 

Scotland, 

Hardy's, 

Plains, 

Windham upper corner, 

Hodsdon's, 

Friends' 

Great Falls, 

Outlet, 



No. of houses. 

16 
29 
26 
13 
21 
25 
17 
24 
27 
18 
14 

7 

26 
25 
29 
26 
12 

6 



No. families, 

1833. 



No. scholars. 

1839. 1840. 



18 
30 
26 
12 
22 
25 
20 
26 
28 
20 
16 

9 

26 
26 
26 
30 
12 

6 



35 
59 
46 
34 
39 
69 
37 
66 
75 
60 
37 
18 
69 
51 
63 
55 
32 
U 



40 
47 
50 
29 
47 
56 
44 
68 
74 
62 
44 
13 
73 
64 
67 
57 
30 
12 



40 
52 
56 
27 
40 
63 
54 
68 
78 
65 
37 
15 
62 
65 
64 
57 
34 
7 



Total, 



361 



378 



856 877 884 



i\o. 16. 

Between 1740 and 1795, two meeting house frames were erected by the 
Congregationalists ; one near where Reuben Elder now lives, and one near 
where Rowland Rand now lives, neither of which were finished, and subse- 
quently the frames of both were taken down. The fourth Cong'regational 
meeting house is 50 feet long, 40 feet wide, and 22 feet posts, well finished 
and painted. The fifth Congregational meeting house is 48 feet long, 38 
feet wide, and 17 feet posts, well finished and painted, with a steeple, and 
cost $1300. The Friends' meeting house is 45 feet long, 40 feel wide, and 
20 feet posts, — they had a meeting house in this town prior to this, but not so 
large. The Methodist meeting house is 28 feet long, 24 feet wide, and 9 
feet posts. The Baptist meeting house is 38 feet long, 36 feet wide, and 12 
feet posts, well finished and painted. 



31 



Proprietors of the Fourth Congregational meethig house, and the amount 
subscribed by each. (Let out to Col. Edward Anderson to build, Feb. 8, 
1795, for £1G0.) 



Paul Little, £12 00a 
Paul Little, Jr. 9,00 
Thos. Barker, 11,00 
Thos. Barker Jr 11,00 
Thomas Chute, 10,00 
Thomas Smith, 10,10 



Thomas Crague, £I3,00s 



Total, £160. 



63,10 



Curtis Swett, 


6,00 


John 


Swett, 


7,00 


John 


Gallison, 


6,00 


Josia 


h Chute, 


7,00 


John 


Chute, 


8,00 




47,00 




]%o. 


17. 



George Knights, £10,108 
Daniel Hanson, 7,00 
Willian; Knights, 9,00 
Elizabeth Andrew, 6,00 
Josiah Webb, 5,00 

Edward Anderson, 12,00 



49,10 



Joseph Pope opened an office at Windham corner for the practice 
of law in 1803. He was born in the town of Spencer, county of Wor- 
cester, Mass. Graduated at Dartmouth College, N. H. in 1798. Read 
law with Pliny Merrick of Brookfield, Mass. Admitted to the Cumber- 
land bar as counsellor at law, in 1804, — delivered an oration before 
the citizens of Windham, July 4, 1804, — moved from Windham to 
Portland, 1805, — returned to Windham, 1813, and resided there until 
1815, when he again removed to Portland, where he now resides. 

Hezekiah Frost came to Windham and commenced the practice of 
law in Feb. 1807. Born in Canterbury, Conn. 1778, — graduated at 
Yale College in 1802, — read law with Judge Griswold of Conn. — re- 
sided in Windham from 1807 until his death, — died May 27, 1827, 
aged 49. He did much, while he resided here, to elevate the charac- 
ter of our primary schools. 

Thomas Amory Deblois, — born in Boston, — graduated at Harvard 
University, Mass. 1813, — studied law with Col. S. A. Bradley of Frye- 
burg and Gen. S. Fessenden of N. Gloucester, — came to Windham 
and commenced the practice of law in 1816, — removed from Wind- 
ham to Portland in 1819, where he now resides. 

John Eveleth, — born in N. Gloucestei-, — graduated at Brunswick 
College in 1814, — studied law with Gen. Samuel Fessenden of New 
Gloucester, — came to Windham and commenced the practice of law 
Dec. 7, 1819, where he has continued in the practice of the " glorious 
uncertainty of the law " until the present time. 

]¥o. 18. 

The first persons buried in Windham are on home lot No. 32, about 
30 rods from the Presumscot. They are the first wife of Stephen 
Manchester, a brother of hers, (Farrar,) and a child. I have not the 
means of ascertaining the time when they were buried, it was probably 
soon after the first settlement in the town. Although these graves 
were on the first land cleared in Windham, they are now in the midst 
of a thick forest of pines, some of which are 18 inches in diameter. 
The first person buried in Anderson's cemetery, is an infant child of 
A. Anderson, the fifth settler. Rev. John Wight was the first person 
buried in Smith's cemetery, May, 1753. Josiah Chute, Esq. was the 
first person buried in the new cemetery in District No. 2, Oct. 1834. 

J¥o. 19, 

Names of aged persons toho died, in Windham. 

Eleanor Cobbey, 101. Robert Martin, 100. Nathaniel Evans, 99. Mrs. 
Sarah Rogers, (1827) 98. Jonathan Wilson, (1823) 86,— his wife Mary, (1&38) 
97. David Purrington, (1816) 84,— his wife Sarah, (1830) 96. Thomas 
Trott, (1821) 91,— his wife Sarah, (1837) 97. Matthew Tobey, (1810) 96,— 
his wife Elizabeth, (1816) 83. Amos Hawkes (1826) 94,— his wife Deborah, 



32 

(1818) 83. Peter T. Smitli, (1826) 90. Zacheus Allen, (1829) 93. Mrs. Eu- 
nice Stevens (1800) 96. Mrs. Sarah Svvett, (1819) 92. Stephen Manchester, 
(1813)92,— his wife Mary, 81. Mrs. Rachel Biiffom, 90. Thomas Bolton, 
90. Mrs. Martha Mayberry, 90. Mrs. Anna Hawkes, (1797) 92. James 
Hawkes, (1828) 93. Andrew Dennis, 90,— his wife Elizabeth, 84. Mrs. 
Mary Cook, 91. Israel Hodsdon, (1832) 91,— his wife Mary, (1827) 81. 
George Crockett, (1834)90. Zenibbabel Hunnewell, (1803) 89,— his wife 
Hannah, (1791) 80. John A. Knight, (1834) 81. Robert Millions, (1810) 84, 
—his wife Mary, (1820) 87. Mrs. Sarah Lowell, (1833) 84. Mrs. Sarah 
Knapp, 87. Jonah Austin, (1834) 80,— his wife Sarah, (1837) 80. Nathaniel 
Jordon, (1829) 84. Margaret Mugford, (1833) 81. John Stevens, 85,— his 
wife Elizabeth, 84. John Brown, (1836) 80. Thomas Chute, (1770) 80. 
William Mayberry, [C B] (1829) 84. Mrs. Ann Anderson, (1801) 85. Sam- 
uel Webb, 80. Mrs. Lois Gratlam, (1804) 83. Mrs. Rebecca Hunnewell, 
(1830)83. Bathsheba Mayberry, 85. Mrs. Mary Elkins,84. Jacob Elliott, 
(1819)84. Mrs. Lydia Lowell, 84. Jonathan Stevens, (1821) 80. Jonathan 
Hanson, (1818) 80. Isaac Hardy, (1821) 85,— his wife Susannah, (1822) 86. 
John Webb, (1835) 85. Thomas Barker, (1806) 80,- his wife Eunice, a809) 

80. Elijah Pope, (1828) 85. Mrs. Elizabeth Southwick, (1818) 80. Abra- 
ham Osgood, (1810) 87. Paul Stone, (1831) 86. Richard Dole, (1825) 89. 
John Mayberry, [B] 88. Mrs. Rachel Bolton, (1813) 84. Mrs. Hannah Han- 
son, (1827) 84. John Bodge, (1798) 84. Samuel Elkins, 84. John Morrell, 

(1817) 85. Mrs. Elizabeth Crague, (1810) 83. Mrs. Jane M'lntosh, (1826) 

81. Joseph Riggs, (1806) 86,— his wife Anna, (1812) 86. Thomas Kenard, 

(1818) 84. Elisha Handy, 80. Mrs. Mary Bolton, 88. Samue4 Kenard, (1817) 
85,— his wife Elizabeth, (1815) 83. Wm. Proctor, (1800) 84. Stephen 
Hutchinson, 85,— his son Stephen, (1820) 85,— his wife Elizabeth, (1827) 85. 
Lieut. Wallace, 80. Joseph Griffin, 85. Mrs. Anna Johnson, (1838) 87. 
Mrs. Abigail Hooper, (1798) 80. Mrs. Ellen Holmes, (1833)81. Robert 
Mugford,ll781) 81,— his wife Mary, (1790) 80. Robert Mugford, (1836) 80. 
John Ingersol, (1811) 81,— his wife Lydia, (1825) 85. John Chase, C1829) 81. 



STATISTICS AND GENERAL REMARKS. 

The town ofWindham contains 26159 acres of land,— 2274 inhabitants,— 361 Dwelling Houses, viz: 280 of one story, 
80 of two, aiKl one of three stories,— 5 Saw Mills,— 2 Shingle Mills,— 2 Carding Machines,— 1 Clothier's Mill, for fullmg- 
and dressing cloth, — 1 Factory for manufacturing woolen cloth, — I Mil! for manufacturing chair stuff,— 1 for manufacturing" 
kegs, — 1 for cleansing saltpeter, — 3 Grist Mills, — 10 Blacksmith's Shops, — 7 Groceries,— 5 Taverns, and 2 Tanneries. 
There are 16 Brick and 2 Stone Buildings in town. The public property belonging to the town, consists chiefly of a poor- 
house, farm and buildings, puichased in 1835, aud cost $2500,— a brick town house erected in 1833, cost $750, il is 50 (ect 
long, 40 feet wide, and 13 feet walls. 

WindharH is a good agricultural town. The inhabitants are chiefly agriculturalists. The soil in the south part of the 
town is a moist yellow loam, free from stones, based upon an understratum of clay, about one font from the surface, — the 
north-west corner of the town is plains, and approximates to a sandy soil. There are inexhaustible quarries of granite in 
the south part oMhe town. 

The oldest building now standing in town, is the dwelling house where Reuben Elder now lives. — it was built by Thom- 
as Mayberry, the year when built not known. 

The oldest Musical Instrument in town (and by some supposed to be the oldest in the U. S.) is a Spinet, made in Lon- 
don, by Thomas Hitchceck in 1390. Il was formerly owned by the widow Wendall, the third wife of the Rev. Thomas 
Smith of Portland, and is now owned by Mrs, Lucy Anderson, wife of Abraham Anderson, and daughter of the late Rev. 
Peter T. Smith. 

Abraham Anderson, .son of Abraham Anderson the fifth settler, in the 82 year of his a^e, is the oldest person now living 
in Windham who waa born in the town, and the only person now living wb.o was born m the old Ion. 

The Rockarneecook tribe of Indians mentioned in this Adiiress, are reported to have been a branch of the St. Francois. 

The PresLimscot, so frequently mentioned in the preceding Address, is a noble stream ; it discharges the waters of Lake 
Sebago into the Atlantic ; is about 20 miles in length, and falls 270 feet in its passage to the ocean. It makes the entire 
boundary lint- between "Windham and Gorham, and a portion of the boundary line Iwtween Windham and Standish. It 
has 13 falls of water suitable for mills, th: Wescolt's, Steep, Anderson^s, Great, Whitney's, Dundee, Loveitt's, Gambo,. 
Little, Horsebcef, Saccarappa, Congin, and Prrsumscoi Falls. The ten first mentioned, are partly in Windham. *' The 
Presumscot has a very devious channel with abrupt banks and numerous fa.lls and rapids, which aflbrd excellent hydraulic 
powers for mills and manufactoriss." It receives four tributaries on th(i Windham side, viz : Pleasant river. Black, Gal- 
ley Wright's and Inldiorn brooks. Probably no stream in the State, of equal magnitude, is so little afi'ected by freshets, 
ice, and droughis, and therefore so safe for mills, as thn Presumscot. Pleasant river pa.sses through the middle of the 
town. Black, Callcy Wright's and Inkhorn brooks are in the south part of (he town. They ail ru'h a southwest course 
from theur several sources to their junction with the Presumscot. Pleasant river has many falls suitable for mills and 
factories. 

There are several small ponds of water in the north part of the town. The Duck pond, on the east side of the town, is 
partly in Windham and partly in Westbrook. Little Sebago, in the north part of Windham, is a pond of considerable 
magnitude, about one third of which is in Windharn, the residue in Gray. A part of this pond, about one mile in length 
and one half mile in width, has been drained o( its waters. Col. Kdward Anderson caused an artificial outlet to be made 
from the south end of Little Sebago into Smith's brook, which empties into Pleasant river, for the purpose of supplying tha 
mills on the latter with an additional quantity of water. This outlet gradually increased in size, till two saw-mills were 
creeled upon il. June 4, 1814, the water undermined the mill-dam, swept it and the mills from tlieir foundations, disrupt- 
cred the bed of the stream, rent away with irresistible force tlie opposinof barriers of nature, aud forced its way into Pleas- 
ant river. In a few hours the outlet was increased 50 feet in depth anuSOO feet in width. Thus this body of water, which 
had been confined within its native embankments from time immemorial, rapidly disappeared, and was soon swallowed up 
in the waters of the Atlantic. The sudden irruption of this great body of water carried away one saw-mill, one grist-mill, 
and BIX bridges on Pleasant river, and also Gambo and Horsebeef bridges on the Presumscot ; inundated the intervale and 
low lands, caused the water to run up Pleasant river and the tributaries of the Presumscot, and made many who saw th^ 
!aw8 of nature thus reversed, and were unacquainted with the cause, believe the world would come to aai end before 184?* 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




013 995 863 9 






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